Tipping Competition2024

Seven Hills will be unable to make it back to back Wooden Spoons in the Jim Beam Cup next season after pulling out of the competition.

The Demons - who won 3 games from 22 played in 2007 - were tipped by some to turn their form around next season and grab a top four spot.

GRL understands that some Demons fans are so disillusioned with the news they've had to take distress leave from work and undergo month long vactions from their problems.

Meanwhile in news that has rocked the League world NSWRL Jim Beam Cup premiers The Entrance have withdrawn from the 2008 competition due to the NSW State Government's crippling Gaming Taxation and Smoking laws.

NSW Leagues Clubs Association chief executive, Mr Peter Turnbull, said The Entrance Tigers wouldn't be the last Rugby League club to be forced to withdraw top-line teams in an attempt to stay afloat.

"This won't be the last example of this occurring," Mr Turnbull said today.

"It's not only the smoking bans which have impacted on all of our member clubs to a significant degree, but also the final stages of the gambling tax increases - when they're coupled together they have a profound effect on the sustainability of senior, and in some cases junior Rugby League clubs."

NSWRL Jim Beam Cup Chairman, Mr Bob Millward, lamented the loss of the competition's reigning Premiers but reiterated his confidence in the competition's prospects for 2008.

It's a huge blow to not only the Jim Beam Cup but to Central Coast Rugby League in general," Millward said today.

"While it is a difficult time for The Entrance, the competition itself remains in great shape. We have three new teams this year in Western Australia, Campbelltown and Cronulla-Caringbah, and hopefully the Entrance will be in a position to return to the competition in 2009."

In other news former Bulldogs forward Geoff Robinson will continue to coach Chester Hill who will be associated with the Newtown Jets come kick-off. Any blue bags players who don't make the premier league side will be available for the Rhinos.

Ian McCann has stepped down as coach of Wentworthville and will be replaced by assistant Brett Cook. It could be a tough year for the Magpies who have lost a number of senior players including Peter Magnone (Dragons), Lewis McPhail (Gateshead) and Kevin Neighbour.

The Belrose Eagles have lost Richie Plummer to retirement due to a chronic back injury.

Watch for a big improvement from the Windsor Wolves under coach Trent Rosa. The 2005 Premiers have signed Craig Trindall from Penrith and Lee Hopkins from the London Harlequins despite losing Drew and Andrew Dalton. - Read More, Here