AUSSIE signing Brock McDonald flew into Britain this week ready to boost Keighley's push for Division One honours.

Brock, a 21-year-old from Perth in Western Australia, has already proved a big hit in his local competition, and was originally recommended to John Kear, coach of Super League club Sheffield Eagles.

The Sheffield club went to watch him when they were in Australia for the World Club Championship last year and Kear was impressed with what he saw.

"Brock would have been going to Sheffield, but they have already reached their salary cap level so John Kear referred him to me.

"He will be an important member of a very young squad," said Cougar Coach John Kain.

The centre/wing man is reported to be a very good finisher with an impressive try scoring record, but also has a very strong defence.

Former Cougar Academy player Danny Guest is also returning to the club from Super League side Oldham. Last year he had a good season with their Academy side and progressed to the 1st team towards the end of the season and has also featured in both their pre-season warm-up matches this year.

The 6ft 4ins 20-year-old weighs in at over 17-stones and is expected to make a big impact as a powerful forward.

The club has also settled a deal with 24-yearold Darren Summerill who was Alliance team captain at Sheffield Eagles last year, but has made the move to Cougars to kick-start his own 1st XIII career. He is recognised as a utility man who has played at almost every position, but he is to be given a settled spot with the Cougars and the chance to make it his own.

John Kain is also talking to two young players who are out of contract with York and would give added depth to the squad.

With only weeks to the start of the season - and the Challenge Cup clash with Saddleworth on February 1 - Kain is building the youngest ever Cougar squad.

It includes Pat Rich, Chris Kirk, Paul Owen and Rob 'Two Bobs' Roberts, who are all just 19 years of age.

Moving up the age scale there is Danny Guest and Guy Shackleton who are 20-years old.

Twenty-one year olds include Matt Foster, Andy Senior, Brock McDonald, and Chris Hogg with Darren Summerhill one of the old men of the outfit at 24-years-old.

"We will have one of the youngest and most enthusiastic squads in rugby league, but there is also a tremendous amount of experience already.

"Even more important is the scope for everyone to make further improvements in their playing potential," John Kain said.

Places for the pre-season Business Lunch on Friday, January 30th are almost full and commercial manager Simon Irving is taking bookings from businesses for match day sponsorship, and booking advertising for match day programmes.

"Anybody who wants to get involved can get in contact with me or Ann Hardman at the club," Simon said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.