It was a tough year for the 85s, the retirement of players and coaching staff as well as the uncertainty of Covid, meant numbers were low and a season of rebuilding was ahead for the Mighty Gnomes. At one stage it looked like the Cote may not even be able to field a team.

Thankfully two ex-players, Paul King and Stephen Kerr took on the coaching mantle and with help from the senior players, Dave, Jed, Martyn, Shaun, Meyrick, Brett, Aaron, Paddy and Jimmy to name a few, the rebuilding began.

With the first round looming they were able to entice, beg and threaten some veteran players to put on their boots and take the field. Our thanks to Brendon King, Patrick Tsai, Zac Madden and Darrin Robertson.

The first round began with a bye then a game against a fired-up Massey side, a loss and our first season-ending injury. Lessons learnt and the coaches prepared the team for the rest of the round.

Every home game was won and some very narrow losses away from home meant the boys finished the round in a creditable fourth position. One of the most pleasing aspects of the first round was the emergence of talent from some of the new players. Lua, Caleb, Tafa and Corbin.

The second round was one to forget. Season-ending injuries to several key players meant that it was almost impossible to field a full team and practices were hard to conduct. The character of this team shone through at this time though with the Players that were left becoming the Players that never gave up, Players that stood up, Players that played with Cote pride.

Thanks to our club sponsors: Sue and Anna Mayhew - Bayleys Real Estate, Rex Industrial and Recreational Services.