The Western Suburbs Red Dogs are desperately keen to field a senior men's and women's team next season after a few years in the wilderness, and want to get the word out.

Josh Papworth, the club's last captain-coach before it folded, is the driving force behind the move.

"It's funny, as the last captain-coach I sort of feel responsible in some way," he said. "So I've agreed to captain coach the men's team and to coach the women's team.

"I want the two teams to train together on the same night. I think that's important anyway."

He is looking for players for both teams.

"We need more men and I'm definitely keen to get the women's side up and running.

"At this stage I have a lot of players who have expressed interest but we need them at training. Ideally I want younger guys in that 18 to 26 age bracket.

"I know there's loads of interest in the club reforming just from talking to people in the street. It's such a proud old club that I have no doubt we'd get a strong following. There's a lot of people out there with a connection to the club."

He has already lured a star recruit in classy Geordie Connelly who has turned his back on the profile and match payments of Newcastle first grade football to return to his old club.

"I want to give back to the club that I started with," Connelly said.

"I want to help the younger guys on the field, and to also be a role model off it. I want to be there help re-establish a good culture. That's important for any club."

Will he miss first grade football?

"I'm only 27 so I can get back there if that's the way I feel, but right now I know I'm doing the right thing," he said. "It feels right.

"I grew up watching Wests Red Dogs as a kid up at Coronation, and I want the young juniors of today to be able to do the same thing, cheer for the club at senior level."

That's a big sacrifice for a man who has played first grade with Maitland and Cessnock, was a star signing for Kurri before the pandemic and played under 20s with both Penrith and the Knights.

Papworth says while 20 to 30 men have expressed interest in playing, they aren't getting anywhere near those numbers at training, even though it's early days.

"I think the success of the Aberglasslyn Ants has made that more difficult these days," he said. "They have two women's sides for a start. I'm planning on speaking with them and see if they are fielding two women's sides again next season. If not maybe some of their players might come across."

He is asking any player - male or female - interested in having a run to get along to training.

He said while they have sponsors, they are looking for major sponsors for both sides.

Training is at Coronation (lower ground) Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.