WHEN the Blues wrapped up their 2018 season the boys left the club and vowed to each other to return better and more united ahead of an exciting 2019 season.

 “At the end of the year, we went away and we weren’t really happy with the whole team and how the season went,” said defender Lachie Plowman speaking to RSN.

“We had a clear focus that we were going to come back and hit the ground running from day one.” 

This commitment to improving and growing as a group has been on show throughout the pre-season, all coming together for the first time in the JLT 1 victory over the Bombers.

While it may have just been a pre-season game, the confidence the team took from the performance will be paramount heading into the 2019 premiership season. 

It also provided a boost to the confidence level of the playing group, young and old, who have worked tirelessly to build a positive team chemistry both on and off the field.  

“It was definitely a good win to start off the season,” said Plowman

“After the game, Bolts was happy with the growth that the group had showed and built upon during the pre-season.

“He’s just happy with the improvement that we’ve made and the bonds that we’re starting to make within the group.”

Returning from a knee injury which cut his 2018 season short, the 191cm defender has enjoyed the benefits of a relatively uninterrupted pre-season.

For Plowman, the upcoming season will be the opportunity to recapture the form which saw the former Giant average 4.5 intercept possessions, and close to 5 tackles in 13-games.

“This year has been all good. My pre-season was a little modified towards the start of it, but I hit the ground running midway through and, after Chrissy, I was able to get most things done,” said Plowman

“For me, it’s just building that consistency in my game and hopefully staying injury free.” 

Plowman may have previously cemented his position in the Blues’ backline up until his injury, but knows that with the influx of new talent to the club this is unlikely to be the case in 2019.

The depth that has been added through the likes of Will Setterfield, Sam Walsh, Nic Newman and Mitch McGovern, is sure to cause a few headaches for the coaches when it comes to team selection.

“It’s always a bit challenging at this time of the year. There’s a bit of angst between the group, but that’s what we need,” said Plowman 

“I think this year, everyone is on board and it’s a really, really tight group. 

“Over the last few years, you probably had your best 22 selected at this stage, whereas this year the competition for spots is right up there.

“It’s going to be a good year.”