The Farmer's Union State League club yesterday an­nounced its new senior coaching positions for the year in the wake of Jackie Blyth's decision to coach the Ravens. Former State League as­sistant coach David Portolesi has succeeded Blyth at the helm of the league team with Roy Irving to coach the Re­serves side.

"We're calling it boy power at the moment," Portolesi joked. After coaching Jaguars re­serves, Portolesi joined Cou­gars as State League assist­ant coach in 1995. He then worked for the Queensland Academy of Sport where he gained his level two accreditation before return­ing to Cougars.

After a premiership season in 1999, Cougars slipped out of finals contention in 2000. Portolesi said the club was determined to climb back in 2001. "I'd be lying if I said the players we had weren't capable of being up there," he said.

"What we need to do now is focus on the things that made Cougars perform so well in the past. Jackie and I looked back on the year and maybe we all thought it was going to be easier given our experience."

Cougars have begun their pre-season under Portolesi with the club concentrating on basic fitness work.