Recruitment and retention key for Diesels as Junee eyes return to finals in 2026

Tallon Smith

The Junee Diesels will welcome several new players to the club ahead of the 2026 Group 9 season after a number of recruits were announced over the summer.

Former NSW Cup halfback Connor Garrety headlines the new inclusions at Laurie Daley Oval, joining the Diesels after stints with North Sydney, Canterbury, Cronulla and Newtown throughout his time in the NRL lower grades in Sydney.

Diesels President David Holt said that it was good timing that helped the club secure the services of the well-credentialed halfback for the upcoming campaign.

“We were in the search for a half, and Connor’s name came up,” he said.

“We made contact with him and things worked out for the better.

“It’ll be very good, the calibre of his play, it’s something we needed.”

New Junee recruit Connor Garrety (Image: Facebook)

While Garrety is the leading name among the Diesels’ new recruits, he is by no means the only well-known player joining the club this off season.

Former Brothers players Monson Tuvale and Neti Latu have signed to return to Group 9 with the Diesels this season, after last playing in the competition in 2017 and 2024 respectively.

Former Australian rugby sevens captain Stu Dunbar has also re-joined the club, after a handful of appearances in 2024.

In addition to this, the Diesels have retained almost all of their key players as well heading into 2026, including fullback Jese Wainibuli and Group 9’s Kelly Cup player of the match Daniel Foley.

So far, the club’s only confirmed departure is Mickael Goudemand, who will join the Macquarie Scorpions in the Newcastle competition.

Diesels star Daniel Foley won best on ground honours in the Kelly Cup (Photo: Tallon Smith)

Meanwhile, the Junee club has also announced it will stick with its three-man coaching setup again in 2026.

Assistant Coach Damian Willis will take charge of the Diesels’ first grade squad for the opening six rounds of the competition, before co-coaches Ben Shea and Chase Bernard return from their commitments with the Albi Tigers in the French Super XIII competition to lead the side for the remainder of the season.

Holt said that the setup will be exactly the same as last year, with the two mentors set to watch games via an online platform, before sending their advice and input to Willis back in Junee.

“It’s the same setup as last year, so Damian is doing pre-season and getting set up for the start of the season, and Ben and Chase are looking at things over in France,” he said.

“Then once the season starts, they’ll be watching out games through Hudl and giving advice, and then when they get out here at the end of the French Elite competition, they’ll take on the same positions as they [did] last season.”

Junee will aim to qualify for its first finals campaign since 2018 when it opens its season with an away trip to Gundagai on Sunday April 19.