Various CRL news

[Spike]

This thread is going to be based upon my ensuing boredom of the off season where I have a habit of trolling through various internet and other sources and finding info about current and former NRL/NSWRL players playing in the CRL, any CRL juniors who may sign for NRL/NSWRL or vice versa in the off season and any other obscure CRL news. I figure it is easier to place it in all one thread than have numerous threads about the stuff.

 

[Spike]

ORANGE Hawks will have one of the strongest centre pairings in Group 10 next season after the club re-signed Todd Barrow for the 2005 campaign.

Barrow, who played the second half of this season, knocked back offers from Orange CYMS and Group 11 club Manildra to stay with Hawks.

Barrow pairing with new captain-coach and Western Division centre Andrew Meurant means the Orange club will have no shortage of attacking flair out wide.

A former Balmain Tigers Jersey Flegg player, Barrow said he was tempted to link with junior club CYMS in their return to premier league next season.

"I was thinking of going back to CYMS, but I had a pretty good year at Hawks and they're a good bunch of blokes," Barrow said.

Barrow, a handy goalkicker, played under 18s with CYMS before going to the Tigers for two seasons.

The 19-year-old made an instant impact at Hawks after returning from Sydney and made his top grade debut in round 12 against Mudgee.

"We'll have a fairly good side next year," he said. "We'll have most of the boys from last year and Breaker is trying to get some other guys to come over as well."

Barrow played mainly in the centres this season, but ended the year at five-eighth after an injury to playmaker James Mortimer.

"I'm happy to play anywhere really, but I've been talking to the coach about possibly playing fullback," Barrow said.

He said signed a one year deal with the aim of returning to play in Sydney after next season.

Central Western Daily

 

[brook]

Barrows a top player

I can kind of understand why the tigers let him go - they are putting their faith in the younger pangai and wara but Barrow is a solid player and a top class goal kicker - I would have tried to find a spot for him.

 

[Spike]

Penrith's grand final hero of 2003, Scott Sattler, has been named QRL Southern Division Ambassador.

Sattler's last ditch tackle on Todd Byrne in the 2003 Grand Final was one of the turning points in Penrith's memorable win against the Sydney Roosters.

Scott and his father John were recently honoured by the NRL when their individual efforts were recognised in the 'Great Moments of Grand Finals'.

John Sattler's great moment was in the 1970 Grand Final when South Sydney defeated Manly. Sattler Snr played almost the entire game with a smashed jaw.

Troy Morton, CEO QRL Southern Division, said, "We are proud to have a person of the stature of Scott Sattler representing the division as an ambassador. Scott will be the face of the Southern Division, both at junior and senior level.

"We believe we are heading in the right direction and we are happy the way things are developing. It is great to have Scott on board as an ambassador. He is another asset for us.

"Scott is willing to put back into the game to help our future stars develop," he said.

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

The CRL Player of the Year and Origin Player of the Year awards were announced at the 2004 CRL Annual Ball at the Boulevard Hotel, Sydney, on Saturday night.

The CRL Player of the Year was won by Phil Stonham, from the Queanbeyan Kangaroos. The former Raider has enjoyed an outstanding 2004 season and won selection in the Country representative team which toured New Zealand earlier this year.

Stonham had to make a lightning dash to the function from Canberra, where he was attending a friend's wedding, to receive his award. In the past, there have been several great names win this prestigious award. After Saturday night, Phil Stonham will sit worthily alongside the likes of Pannowitz, Cronin, "Dallas" Donnelly and Alan Thomson.

The Country Origin Player of the Year was won by Scott Hill, from the Melbourne Storm. His award was presented by Laurie Daley, who was the initial; recipient of the award in 1995.

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

The Goulburn Stockman Rugby League Club have voted to join Group 6 CRL for the 2005 season.
Group 6 have happy to have them however Canberra or Group 8 as they are known does not want them to go.
So now it is up to the Boundaries Committee of CRL to make their decision in a few weeks time.

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

PHOTO: South Coast Rugby League's Player of the Year, Kiama Knights captain Mark Duncan receives his award from Country Rugby League General Manager Terry Quinn at the League's presentation at Kiama Leagues Club.


Kiama Knights captain Mark Duncan and rookie Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs hooker Adam Stone have taken out the major awards at the South Coast Group 7 Rugby League awards held at the Kiama Leagues Club last Friday night.
Duncan won the Group selectors vote to take out the Cleary Bros. Player of the Year, after captaining both South Coast and Southern Division this year, as well as being the centre-point of the Knights charge that saw the Knights finish second on the points table at the end of the competition rounds after finishing second last in 2003.
Stone, in his first full season of first grade, edged out Duncan, Albion Park-Oak Flats' Derek Gray, Berry-Shoalhaven Heads pair Geoff Johnson and Nathan Carpenter and Batemans Bay's Adam O'Brien to take out the prestigious Michael Cronin Medal.
In front of a packed crowd, the pair battled it out for points right throughout the competition and it went right down to the final round where Stone took maximum points against Warilla and Duncan was injured early against Batemans Bay to decide the Cronin Medal.
Other major awards went to Nathan Carpenter who took out the St George Illawarra Dragons Trophy as Best Player Under 21, Stone got a double when he was voted Rookie of the Year, while Garry Warburton from Milton-Ulladulla won the Enn Muller Trophy for Under 18 Player of the Year.
Jamberoo Superoos centre Jeff Wellington took out the Athol Noble Medal as best player in the Regan Cup competition.
The success of the presentation night, which was attended by a record number of people on top of record playing numbers and record grand final gate takings have made it a memorable season," South Coast Rugby League secretary-manager David Hall said.
We have initiated several changes to the competition this year including the launch of a weekly program and having a new web-site and these two things, I feel, have helped raise the profile of the game in our area," he added.
Individual point scoring awards and premiership plaques for the winning teams were also presented.

 

[Spike]

Bombala Captain Coach Clay Stewart just managed to beat teammate John Peck by one vote to run out winner of the Group 16 Best and Fairest Award for 2004.

Stewart who has done a great job in 2004 with the Bombala Club was a Great winner and polled in almost all matches to built up points.

For Peck it was the 2nd year in a row he has been pipped on the post. Moruya's Justin Zutt and Rodney Connell were also equal 2nd just one vote behind Stewart in what was the closest count for years.

Leading Tryscorer was Eden's Shane Mongta while Leading Pointscorer was last seasons Best & Fairest winner Troy Beecham of Narooma.

In the Lower Grades Moruya's Charlie Nye won the Best & Fairest along with the Highest Pointscorer while he was pipped by Justin Edsea his Moruya Teamate as the leading tryscorer.

The Under 18's saw the Merimbula/Pambula Boys clean up with the Brillant Zac Callaway run away with the Best & Fairest winning by some 6 votes from teamate Kris Kent and Edens Canberra Raiders bound Tsai Tui.

Some consolation for Kent was when he won the Highest Pointscorer and leading tryscorer awards amasing 198 points in 11 games.
The Rookie of the year was awarded to Bega's outstanding young Frontrower Kale Burton while the Snowy River Bears Under 18 coach Gavin Patten was awarded the Coach of the Year.

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

Player Year Awards Group 3
NBN Sponsored First Grade Award Brett Fraser (Port City) on 21 Points from joint runners up on 20 points Aaron Ison (Wauchope) and Dean Simpson (Taree City)
Reserve Grade winner was Marc Steel (Wingham) from runner up Lance Bungie (Taree City)
U18 Grade saw a threeway tie between Sam McCartney (Taree City) Shea Moylan (Camden Haven) and Dustin Prosser (Wauchope) on 23 points from joint runners up on 22 points of Jarrod Hogan (Taree City) and Brad Massey (Port City)

Most Improved Awards
First Grade Brendan Miller (Old Bar Beach)
Reserve Grade Ross Wilson (Wingham)
U18 Grade Scott Kelly (Wingham)

Highest Point Scorers
First Grade Troy Hilder (Forster Tuncurry) with 11 tries 82 goals & 2 fieldgoals for 210 points.
Reserve Grade Rod Watson (Taree City) with 2 tries and 44 goals for 96 points.
U18 Grade Jade Godbolt (Taree City) with 8 tries & 81 golas on 194 points.

Special Awards
Most Improved Referee Barry Pereira
Legend Award Anothony Hill (Camden Haven) for his service to both club and representative football.
Representative Player Award Troy Hilder (Forster Tuncurry) Group 3 Captain and North Coast Division representative.
Coach of the Year Con Berry (Taree City) U18 caoch after his teams 21 wins from 22 matches
Group 3 Team of the Year
Fullback Troy Hilder (Forster Tuncurry)
Wing Mark Yalden (Old Bar Beach)
Centre Ben Holden (Forster Tuncurry)
Five Eight Nigel Latham (Wingham)
Half Back Brett Fraser (Port City)
Lock Matt Finlayson (Forster Tuncurry
2ND Row Luke Felsch (Forster Tuncurry)
Front Row Dave Corbett (Wingham)
Hooker Dean Simpson (Taree City)

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

Newly recruited Wests Tigers player Blake Dureau has capped off a great year playing for the Denman in Group 21 by taking out the player of the match in his Under 18 Grand Final win over Singleton. Dureau also took out the Theiss Service Group 21 Bullseye Under 18 player of the year award with joint winner David Lantry of Singleton and the Denny Gleeson Shield under 18 top point scorer for the Under 18 competition. Blake managed to score 144 points from 13 tries and 46 goals.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

Spike don't you mean Balmain Tigers recruit as I think thats the club he is infact contracted too for the next 2 seasons

 

[Spike]

I wasn't sure whether he was signed by Balmain or Wests so I covered all/neither bases. With Kerr gone I thought he may have ended up in the hell that is called Campbelltown. I'll be a lot happier if Blake ends up with Balmain. I think he'll be the first choice halfback for Balmain in premier league/Flegg by mid next year. No offence to Nowland or Reynolds but the more I hear about this kid, the more I wished the Knights tried to tie him up.

 

[Spike]

Tim Holman to play for the Knights


LAST year injury and lack of mental preparation saw Tim Holman put a shot at big time rugby league on hold, but he is determined to make his second chance count when he heads to Newcastle next week., Holman has signed on to be part of Newcastle's under 18 SG Ball team for next season, the Knights showing faith in the junior after he previously trialled at the club., Last year Holman trialled with the Newcastle Knights under 16s as an unassuming 15-year-old, making the second stage of qualifying before injuring himself and having to return home., Despite this setback, Holman returned again to trial with the under 16s development squad for three months, but found it difficult mentally and returned to Bathurst to play with Panthers' under 18s., However, following a stellar Group 10 season for Holman in 2004, which saw the 17-year-old picking up a host of awards, including Group 10 under 18 player of the year, Bathurst Panthers under 18 best and fairest player's and players' player, and representing Group 10, Western Division and County NSW on their tour of New Zealand, he now believes he is ready for the NRL challenge.

The Western Advocate

 

[Mighty Tiger]

I wasn't sure whether he was signed by Balmain or Wests so I covered all/neither bases. With Kerr gone I thought he may have ended up in the hell that is called Campbelltown. I'll be a lot happier if Blake ends up with Balmain. I think he'll be the first choice halfback for Balmain in premier league/Flegg by mid next year. No offence to Nowland or Reynolds but the more I hear about this kid, the more I wished the Knights tried to tie him up.

That makes sense and who knows because in the past on numerous ocasions players have been sent to Balmain but for some unknown reason they have then been sent to Wests and of course it has happened the other way around as well

I actually think Rangi Chase will end up the number 1 chioce ;-)

And apperantly Reynolds could be going to Wests for next year

 

[Spike]

meh, it's anyones guess at the moment but you're probably right about Chase. Most if not all Keebra Park/ Runnaway Bay players have headed to Balmain rather than Wests. This that because it is only/mostly the Balmain Tigers side of the joint venture that is affiliated with these teams? If thats the case than Sam Moa may end up in Balmain jersey yet. Guys like Marshall, Farrelly and Morris have all ended up playing with Balmain rather than Wests. Will the trend continue?

 

[Mighty Tiger]

meh, it's anyones guess at the moment but you're probably right about Chase. Most if not all Keebra Park/ Runnaway Bay players have headed to Balmain rather than Wests.

Thats because they get the chioce for who they want to play for more often than not (unless of course there isn't an even spread of players who are contracted to the Wests Tigers at either club at the start of the year)

This that because it is only/mostly the Balmain Tigers side of the joint venture that is affiliated with these teams?

Actually from my understanding Balmain havn't done anything to Keebra Park - I couldn't tell you about runaway bay but I do know they don't fund anything though - its all the Wests Tigers.

I comes done to the chioce of who they would like to play for in the lower grades more often than not (read above)

If thats the case than Sam Moa may end up in Balmain jersey yet. Guys like Marshall, Farrelly and Morris have all ended up playing with Balmain rather than Wests. Will the trend continue?

Moa has already been confirmed as heading to Balmain JF side for the start of the year from my understanding given the amount of players who will be running around in PL at the start of the season

On Chase, Balmain have recieved the documentation from the Wests Tigers for him to start off like Moa in JF next year however Balmain have yet confirmed he will be playing with them. I'm probably looking too much into it however given that there has been nothing announced from Wests not even a whisper that he could be over there I gather it has been set into stone now.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

Thought you might find this of interest Spike

Wests Tigers Cubs enjoy life in South Africa

Wests Tigers are hoping the likes of prop Ewen Cameron and centre Rocky Tramarchi will follow in the footsteps of Benji Marshall and Bryce Gibbs in coming seasons.

Cameron and Tramarchi were just two players to shine on the recent Wests Tigers Cubs under-18 tour of Western Australia and South Africa.

The Wests Tigers selected a squad of 18 players from the Balmain and Western Suburbs SG Ball teams to attend specialist training with coach Michael Buettner and trainers Ciriaco Mescia and Pat Richards.

The players were then invited to tour Western Australia and South Africa and play in three development games.

In game one, Wests Tigers Cubs beat Western Australian U/18s 48-12 in Perth.

After arriving in South Africa, the Wests Tigers Cubs then beat regional representative team Vaal Buffaloes 72-10. Their final match saw the Wests Tigers Cubs beat Eastern Eagles 34-8 in a very physical encounter.

Buettner said half-back Blake Dureau and back-rower Teason Fa’avae-Eli were other names to look out for.

“The kids on the tour have been earmarked as possible future NRL players with the Wests Tigers,’’ Buettner said.

“The tour gave them the opportunity of playing overseas and also the chance to get to know one another, so hopefully, when they come into first grade later on, they see familiar faces.

“Current Wests Tigers players Benji Marshall, Bryce Gibbs, Dean Collis, Liam Fulton and Bronson Harrison have all come out of the Cubs program.

“I hope the Cubs program continues for the Wests Tigers. Obviously it comes down to money, but the benefits the players gain from such a tour far outweighs the cost.’’

The Wests Tigers Cubs squad was: Jarrod Farlow, Dean Caldwell, Ryan Owen, Nua Alone, Shannon McDonnell, Rocky Tramarchi, Luke Barron, Fred Khouiss, Nim Ngatta, Shannon Gallant, Dean Rysko, Richie Nicholas, Ewen Cameron ©, Adam Falcone, Sam Wara, Teason Fa’avae-Eli, Blake Dureau.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/juniordevelopment.php

 

[Spike]

Dureau is already in the squad 8)

 

[Spike]

Southern Division retain Fiji Trophy

Thursday, 7th October 2004

Southern Division U/18 Academy has just returned from a successful weeklong tour of Fiji.

A squad of 23 players took part in the tour with one of the highlights participating in the BulaFiji.Com U/18 Rugby League Championships, which were held at Suva Grammar School on Tuesday 21st September.

The championships are an annual event with five Fijian teams, FNRL West Conference, FNRL East Conference, Taileva North College, Ratu Kadavuleva School and Suva Grammar School along with four NSWCRL academies, Southern, Western, Northern and Northern Rivers.

Southern's first game was against Northern Rivers, which they won 22-0. The second match was a harder game playing against the unorthodox style of the Fijian boys from Rata Kadavulevu School but the Southern boys eventually won 16-10 to progress to the semi-finals.

The semi was a very physical game against NSWCRL Northern Academy with the scores being 0-0 at full time. With five minutes each way extra-time, Southern dominated to win 12-0.
The Grand Final was our next challenge taking on a very confident and big Fiji Eastern Conference team. This was an entertaining game with Southern taking a 12-0 lead only to see the Fijian side hit back with two tries but failing to convert their second try on the full time siren to give Southern a 12-10 win and the Championship Trophy for the second year in a row.

At the conclusion of the championships two teams were selected on the performances throughout the day, a Fijian Select XIII and a combined CRL Academy XIII. Due to some outstanding performances Southern Division had eight players selected for this demonstration game, which was won by CRL Academies 22-0.

The Southern Division players selected were: - Ryan Smith (captain), Reece White, Luke Gilmore, Kurt Fittler, Shane Withers, Ben Cole, Nathan Turner and Robbie Ross.

Other highlights of the tour were a visit to Rt. Filise Memorial School where our players ran clinics for the local children and a traditional welcome at the Namatakula Village.

The coaching staff congratulated all the players on the way they represented Southern Division and their respective Groups, both on and off the field, throughout the tour.
Player of the Tour as voted by all the players and staff was Luke Gilmore from Kiama.

Source: Leaguenet

 

[Spike]

Neil's new role
By MICHELLE COOK
Tuesday, 12 October 2004

RUGBY LEAGUE

NEIL Orcher spent the last two years as captain-coach at Manildra Rhinos where he played with Andrew Meurant.

Now they will swap roles.

Orcher, 31, is one of the latest signings for Orange Hawks' 2005 season where Meurant will be captain-coach.

"It's something new and something I'm looking forward to," Orcher said.

"Not having all the responsibility of coaching. I'll leave that all to Andrew. If he wants any advice I'm certainly there to give him a hand if he needs it. But I'll be just doing what all the other guys are doing – training and playing."

Orcher has a long history in league having captain-coached at Forbes and been part of the Magpies' 2001 grand final side as well as playing at Parkes, Windsor and Temora.

The versatile Orcher, who can direct play from five-eighth or lock,

said he was happy to play wherever he was needed at Hawks.

Hawks have also picked up 25-year-old half or five-eighth Lee Grant who played with Meurant at school.

Grant played Jersey Flegg with Parramatta before switching codes to rugby union for a few years.

"I've really only just got back into it this year, league," Grant said.

"I went and played for West Wyalong. Then this opportunity came up to come here to play with Breaker. I'm pretty happy to jump on board and hopefully have a great year."

Orcher said Hawks still had to do the work before they could meet any expectations next year.

"He's got some good players there," Orcher

said of Meurant's recruits.

"In saying that we've still got to put the hard

work in and get on with the footy side of it and

not worry too much about what sort of

side we have."

Source: Central Western Daily