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BIG DAY AS GNA DELIVER  WESTS Greater Northern Academy players are feeling very pleased with themselves after recording the academy’s best ever results against strong opposition at Aberdeen on Saturday. The GNA boys beat Balmain under 17s and the Newcastle Knights Hunter Academy and played out a tough draw with the Knights’ Harold Matthews Cup side at McKinnon Field. The youngsters of the squad make up the GNA Yellow side and they showed too much speed for the bigger Tigers side first up to win 26-8. “The back three were exceptional – Matt Nean, Michael Kelly and Jie Smith,” GNA head coach Jamie McCormack said. “Every time they touched the ball they were electrifying and they had the Tigers guessing what they’d do next. “Corey Holman, our little hooker from Murrurundi, was strong in defence and although he’s our littlest forward, he led the pack. “Reece Jaeger from Gunnedah has just come back from a knee operation that kept him out for 12 months and he made a successful comeback in the centres. “Our 15-year-old AAMI scholarship holders Nick Monckton and Ben Clark, they played well too and didn’t look out of place.” Glen Innes lock Nick Ehsman was voted man of the match. The GNA Maroon side, made up of the Academy’s older players, were also impressive in their 24-16 win over the Knights. “To beat the Newcastle Knights is great,” McCormack said. “It’s not something we do often, but this is a good side. “We expected big things from them and they delivered. “It’s been their goal from the start to beat the Knights and they did it. “Josh Dutton was man of the match and scored two tries and a quiet achiever on the wing, Richard Clegg - not known for being a winger - had a big game and scored two good tries. “Jacob Carey, our front rower from Singleton, was outstanding too. “He’s a very good footballer and he led the go-forward. “Sean Russ was also strong in the centres and Scott Blanch threw a couple of sensational passes to Richard Clegg for those two tries.” The last game of the evening saw the Knights’ Harold Matthews (under 16s) side play the Tigers for 30 minutes and GNA for the other 30. The Knights hammered Balmain 30-nil but in a scintillating second half the Knights pulled level with GNA with only two minutes to play to make it 6-all. “It was the best half of under 18s football you’d ever see,” McCormack said. “It was so tough. “Jake Hawkins was man of the match. “His defence was outstanding and he broke the line and threw the last pass for Matt Nean to score. “We led 6-nil at that stage. “The other bloke that was exceptional was Shea Collins. “He’s a tough kid. “Adam Bartholomew from Muswellbrook off the bench, he likes to play a bit of hooker, and he was dangerous when he came on.” The GNA boys have one more chance to put their hard work at training into practice when they face the Northern Rivers and North Coast academies at Coffs Harbour on February 23. |
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| Monday 11 th Febuary '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SHOULDER CHARGE BANNED
SOURCE : NSWRL Academy You may be aware that the ARL Board in December resolved to ban shoulder charges in the interstate U/16 years and U/18 years matches. QLD had already banned the practice in its State. At the NSWRL Board meeting held yesterday (6/2/08) the Board extended the ban on shoulder charges to all competitions 18 years and under (schools and junior league). This ruling is effective for the commencement of the 2008 Rugby League season. |
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Story By : Dave Donaghy  MELBOURNE Storm hopes to know before its March 1 World Club Challenge clash against Leeds whether it has a realistic chance of re-signing Israel Folau. Chief executive Brian Waldron has revealed Storm plans to step up talks with Test centre Folau and his management in the next fortnight. Folau, 18, is expected to command more than $300,000 a year, with Brisbane and Gold Coast already taking aim at him. It is understood the two Queensland clubs hold the only hope of stealing Folau from Melbourne because his family lives in Brisbane, despite serious interest from several Sydney teams. The Broncos, though, are likely to be hampered in their bid to woo Folau by the looming departure of coach Wayne Bennett, who announced this week he would quit the club at the end of the season. The Titans, meanwhile, should have money to spend after losing out in the race to sign Wests Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall. Waldron said Folau had given the club no indication he wanted to leave. "Izzy, we're having chats now, which is good," Waldron said. "We'd certainly like to see if we can fast-track discussions in the next fortnight before they go away (to England). It's not an easy one because he's in such demand. "I've always felt that if he wants to stay here, and he does, generally speaking, then we can sort something out. Certainly between now and the time we go away we'd like to have a fairly strong indication of whether or not we'd be able to keep him. "From all the discussions we've had, he wants to stay, so that's a real positive." Folau, a devout Mormon, is unlikely to leave the game to embark on a two-year religious mission. The centre set the rugby league world on fire last year. He scored 21 tries -- equal top in the NRL -- and was named Dally M rookie of the year before becoming the youngest player to represent Australia in a Test -- a fortnight after playing in Storm's premiership triumph. Folau, who has bulked up to 103kg in the off-season, will need to take another step forward in 2008, following the loss of centre Matt King, who has left for Warrington in the English Super League. Waldron said Folau's situation was part and parcel of juggling the $4 million salary cap. "We've got some huge challenges over the next few years with our roster - huge challenges," he said. "We lost Matt King last year. It was a necessary evil in a way because had it not been Matt, as much as we didn't want him to go, we'd be faced with the loss of other players who would be forced to do the same thing." Premiership-winning lock Dallas Johnson is expected to re-sign in the next fortnight. Johnson has a three-year-deal waiting for him. |
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BENNETT CHECKS RISING STARS THE Broncos' rising stars had a first-hand bonus when coach Wayne Bennett watched their first season trial at Theodore, Central Queensland. Bennett, who will stand down as coach at the end of the season, attended the match against Central Comets with former Broncos prop Shane Webcke but allowed Anthony Griffin to run the side. Griffin, a former Redcliffe first grade coach and Melbourne Storm assistant, is in his first year at the Broncos and will take charge of the under-20s side in the new National Youth Cup. "Wayne and Shane drove up here on Friday to see one of the organisers of the match, Chris Holmes," Griffin said. "It was nice to see them at the game and I'm sure it gave the players a buzz." Bennett gave the green light to NRL prop Ben Hannant to play the last 20 minutes of the match which Brisbane won 30-12. "Ben and Joel Clinton came with us for promotional reasons and Ben brought his boots," Griffin said. "He asked Wayne could he play and Wayne said all right. He made some good carries and threw the last pass for a try." Man of the match was Broncos halfback Ben Hunt who represented Australian Schoolboys from St Brendan's College, Yeppoon last year. "He was certainly the best player on the field but no one is getting carried away," Griffin said. "He'll play under-20s this year but the class he showed certainly indicates he has the potential to develop into a decent player." Griffin also made special mention of Wynnum-Manly youngster Mitchell Dodds and Gladstone product Brendon Gibb. North Queensland Cowboys coach Graham Murray says it is unlikely Test forward Luke O'Donnell will play in Saturday's trial against the Broncos in Rockhampton. O'Donnell got the green light on Thursday to return from a serious leg injury but Murray said the 27-year-old is set to have his first hitout against Gold Coast Titans in Cairns on Saturday week. The Titans and Wests Tigers will play for the Larry Corowa Shield when they meet in a trial at Skilled Park on March 1. Former Test winger Corowa began his football on the Tweed and played for Balmain Tigers from 1978-83 and for Gold Coast Seagulls in 1991. Talented Canberra centre Adrian Purtell is set to play for the Raiders against the Titans in next Saturday's trial at Ipswich. |
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| Sunday 10 th Febuary '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 THERE was a time when Mitchell Pearce would see his name in print and cringe. As a star schoolboy, he would read his name in a newspaper article and question whether he'd received the attention through achievement or by association. "It used to worry me, to be honest,'' said the 18-year-old son of former Balmain and Australia lock Wayne "Junior'' Pearce. "But as you progress and start to get a name for yourself, it doesn't worry me as much any more.'' Pearce's surname has been inked into his left shoulder in the form of a fresh tattoo. And the Sydney Roosters halfback says he now feels no pressure relating to his name or playing position approaching his pivotal second season in the NRL. EXPECTATION AFTER three years without finals football, expectations have exploded at Bondi Junction this season with the addition of Test forwards Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, and the return of fullback Anthony Minichiello from a long-term back injury. Pearce, contracted to the Roosters for the next three seasons, is excited by the responsibility of being the club's key link man. "Getting the forwards we've got now with Mase, Ogre, Anthony Tupou, all the forwards have come out of their shells, it's going to make my job a lot easier,'' Pearce said. "Expectations from ourselves and other people ... we should make the top eight. If we don't it'll be pretty disappointing.'' While Pearce credited new coach Brad Fittler for the dramatic change of form at the Roosters late last season, he also said club captain Craig Fitzgibbon had rallied his players. "Maybe the boys woke up and realised it wasn't the coach's fault, it was our fault, and pulled their finger out,'' Pearce said. "Ricky (Stuart) got brushed, Opes (Chris Anderson) got the brush; I think Fitzy had a talk to everyone and said, 'pull your finger out'.'' COMBINATIONS PEARCE has developed a strong relationship with Mason, who will defend beside him this season. He has also been building links with five-eighth Braith Anasta, under halves coach Adrian Lam. But Pearce believes his pairing with former Melbourne hooker James Aubusson will be most crucial. The pair are so determined to gel, they're even looking to move into an apartment together in Coogee. "If you're around someone all the time you naturally get that connection and I think it's important for the team that me and him can get a good combination,'' Pearce said. PEARCE has gained 5kg in the off-season, working hard on his core strength to try to prevent a recurrence of the stress injury that affected his back in 2007. "I feel really good now, I'm doing a lot of stretching - fingers crossed that's behind me,'' Pearce said. "You look at Mini and I'm lucky. He's been out for two years with a back injury. It's nothing as serious as that, but it all starts somewhere and you've got to stay on top of it.'' |
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Story By :  BULLDOGS Vs SHARKS Belmore Oval The game started with both team feeling each other out in the middle of Belmore Oval. The Bulldogs scored first with a nice long pass to the winger who scored in the left corner. The dogs were in again a few minutes later were the doggies 5/8 used his twinkle toes weaving from about 15 meters out & beat 3 or 4 Sharks defenders to score near the posts, doggies led two tries to zip. Cronulla hit back shortly after a kick by new comer Sam Clune to winger Rea Pittman who literally dived over the line to open the Sharks account for the day. The rest of the first half the two teams played some flat end to end footy. Suddenly the Sharks attacked and half back Sam Clune smashed through the Bulldogs defence and creamed the fullback to crash over the line. Now it was 2 tries each, the n Doggies center made a good break to put the Doggies with in striking distance, then their halfback snuck over for a good try. The Bulldogs mounted a fierce attack toward the end of the first half and spun the ball wide, the doggies winger latched on to a forward pass which he dropped and the Sharks defenders pounced on the footy only to be called off side. A quick play the ball saw the Doggies spread the ball to their right winger who dived over for his second try. Half time Bulldogs 4 tries - Sharks 2 tries. The Sharks were quick off the mark at the start of the second half and crashed over for the first try of the half. With in three minutes the Doggies crossed the Sharks line only to be called for a forward pass. The Sharks battled their way up the ground when half back Sam Clune threw a beautiful 25 meter pass to a flying Stacey Morrell who ran on to score untouched in the right corner. 4 tries all. The Sharks attacked again when center Steve Berkley kicked a tricky little grubber kick for Stacey Morrell to score his second try in about a minute. Sharks hit the lead for the 1 st time in the game. Some good paly saw the doggies forward push his way forward to score a fine team try. The Sharks #3 went across the line next to the posts to even the scores at 5 tries each. This must have spooked the Bulldogs players because then they started to play fair dinkum with some massive hits and showed plenty of heart. The Sharks hit the line with only seconds to go to take home a good 7 tries to 5 win. Best players for the Sharks were hard working forward number 8 and 5/8 Steve Berkley | Learn More about the Cronulla Junior League | |
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| RARE FIND SIGNIFICANT IN 2008 Story By : NICK BARLOW  Ten years ago Jim Edwards came across a rare find at a garage sale. For the price of a dollar he picked up an old Amco Cup board game and it has been one of his prized possessions since. “I can’t tell you how to play it, because I’ve never even opened it - until now,” Edwards said. With 2008 signifying the Centenary of Rugby League in Australia, items such as this are likely to be brought out on display. And if that happens we can all recollect on seasons, players and competitions of the past. Dubbo will be playing host to many pieces of rugby league memorabilia with a two-week display to be held at Harvey Norman store from April 15-29. While the board game has obvious sentimental value to Edwards, he remains unsure as to the actual worth of such an item. “I don’t know how rare these are now,” he said. “Some people tell you there is only a few left, but there could be hundreds for all I know. It is still in pretty good condition though.” Media manager from the Australian Rugby League Doug MacDougall however believes the game is rare today. “Information on the game is very hard to come by, but we doubt there would be many left,” he said. There is no doubting that such an item would be of a high priority to thousands of rugby league enthusiasts across the country, with the Amco Cup being such a popular tournament during its running from 1974-89. The popularity of the competition was particularly strong in the Central West when a Western Division side competed in the tournament from 1974-78, taking out the Cup in 1974. This side is to be honoured during the festivities in Dubbo on April 29. Anyone with further information on the Amco rugby league game, or any other memorabilia on the game can contact Barry Hildebrandt at The Daily Liberal 6883 2936 or email sport.liberal@ruralpress.com |
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Story & Photo's By :  CANBERRA RAIDERSThe Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides have completed their last round of pre-season camps, and will now focus on preparing for their first matches of the season in just over a weeks time. The Harold Matthew's squad held a two day camp in Wee Jasper, with the camp involving team work and games, along with caving, bushwalks and a truck drag, which was noted as the highlight of the camp as it made the players work together. The 16's squad started the truck drag on the Saturday afternoon, and was so determined to get it to the top they finished it off on the Sunday morning. The camp was a huge success, with coaching staff and players getting to know each other better and set down expectations and goals for the year, with everyone leaving the camp satisfied yet exhausted. The SG Ball used their camp to travel to the South Coastal town of Tathra, taking a different approach this year, instead of going to the traditional Wee Jasper camp. The camp consisted of a 2 hour surfing lesion, 3 hours of ocean kayaking and swimming, with the players put out of there comfort zone learning new skills. Saturday night involved a team meeting to discuss goals and expectations for the year, along with discussing team tactics for the year. The players were woken early Sunday morning and were put through there paces on the beach for a grueling session which involved stair and sand hill running. The final activity on Sunday involved a four hour coast challenge which saw the team split up into five groups and compete against each other. In total players covered close to 20 km, in which they had to complete a run through the Tathra coastline and bush, and complete checkpoints along the way using team work and problem solving to complete the challenge. All players left the camp exhausted from a big 2 days, but learnt new skills and bonded as a group. The Harold Matthew’s and SG Ball seasons begin on February 16 when they play the Central Coast Storm at Seiffert Oval. |
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| Saturday 9 th febuary 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MELBOURNE Storm enforcer Michael Crocker has backed youngster Will Chambers to grab a permanent spot in the centres following the departure of Matt King. Crocker, 27, said the Storm had the playing personnel to become the first team since the Brisbane Broncos 10 years ago to win back-to-back premierships despite losing King, Clint Newton and Ben Cross. "We've got a few young blokes who are coming in and they've got some big shoes to fill," he said. "But they are talented and hungry for success, they've been in the system for a few years now. "Will Chambers obviously will come in and take Matt King's position in the centres, he's got a big future ahead of him. "We've got a couple of back rowers Sam Tagataese and Sika Manu who are ready to go." Crocker, speaking from Kelly Park Wodonga where Storm players and officials were hosting a clinic for school students, said the Storm had been put through a strenuous pre-season. He said Cooper Cronk and Israel Folau had been impressive on the track. "It has been pretty tough, we started a bit later than most teams, so the coach thought that we had to try and catch up," said Crocker, who has had surgery on both of his shoulders over the off-season. "He has flogged us a little bit more than normal, but he has to now, that the 10 interchanges have come in, so we have done the hard work and everyone is pretty keen to start playing some footy." Crocker, who began his NRL career with the Sydney Roosters, said the North East had the potential to become a good breeding ground for clubs. The only player to have played first grade football from Albury-Wodonga is Canberra Raiders' centre Adrian Purtell. "The development officers obviously come out and do a really good job with the schools from a base junior level," he said. "But once these players get to representative level they need to travel interstate or move away from home, so I think it is a good opportunity for us to embrace it." |
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| Thursday 7 th Febuary 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RAIDERS READY TO TACKLE TIGERS - LUKE SET TO STAR IN MOLLYMOOK CLASH STORY By : Daryll Cook  Rugby League will be the focus point throughout the region this week prior to the first official Toyota Cup trial this year between Canberra Raiders and Sydney's West Tigers to be played this Saturday at Mollymook-Andriske Oval commencing at 10.30am. As part of the newly formed 16-team national youth competition to commence next month, both the Raiders and the Tigers are keen to showcase their best young players this Saturday in the first Toyota Cup full-scale trial to be played in the state and a great opportunity for players to make an immediate impression upon respective club selectors. The 'green machine' has purchased several good youngsters in the off-season with Todd Grace (Penrith), Zachary Russ (Parramatta) and Zachary Merritt (Forbes) keen to impress selectors and cement a permanent position along with Australian junior Kangaroo representatives Joel Thompson (North Queensland), Nick Skinner and Michael Brophy. The Tigers, under coach Peter Gentle, also have a quality squad of worthwhile youngsters that will include Australian Junior Kangaroo vice-captain Wade Dunley along with key new signings Benson Tupou and Noah Totu from Leeton and Matt Davidson from Parramatta and many other NRL stars of the future. Players in the trial, for the first time, will be using yellow footballs in preparation for Toyota Cup scheduled night matches to be played later this year with this Saturday mornings hit-out being controlled by the Group Seven referees association. The exciting clash and family morning outing will be hosted by the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs senior club with full amenities available to all members of the public with a donation at the gate to assist the locals. Meanwhile, last years Bulldog under 18s pivot Ashley Hatch was named captain of this years Group Seven under 18s representative squad last week and two former Bulldog legends in Sid Turnbull and Noel Turnbull continue to make steady progress after recent bouts of illness.
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Story By DON MAHONEY  Mudgee Junior Rugby League will have Channel Nine personalities Matt Johns, alias Reg Regan, as special guests at their special sign-on day on Sunday week (February 17). Publicity Officer Richard Lucas said yesterday that Mudgee Junior Rugby League would launch the 2008 season on Saturday night (February 16) with a three course dinner at Mudgee Racecourse. “Matt Johns will be a special guest at the launch and he will be interviewed by Wide World of Sports host, Mudgee’s own Ken Sutcliffe,” Lucas said. “Ken will be aided in the interview by a TV screen highlighting Matt’s career, however I don’t know if the interview will include a segment on John’s career as Reg Regan. “You’ll have to be there to find that out. “Then on Sunday morning Matt has agreed to come along to the Junior Rugby League club house at Cahill Park for a short while after 11am for the 2008 season sign-on. “This will be a good chance for intending players to come along, put their name down to play and meet Matt Johns in person.” Mudgee Junior Rugby League is planning a huge season and a possible end of season tour for the Under 16s. “To this end we would like all intending Under 16s players and their parents to meet at the Junior Rugby League Clubhouse this Saturday (February) at 4pm to discuss the season and the possibility of a tour,” President Jim Crowe said. “We are also arranging an Under 16s table for the Matt Johns dinner and we will finalise that also on Saturday afternoon during this meeting.” Tickets for the Matt Johns/Ken Sutcliffe dinner are available to the general public at $50 a head. Bookings can be made with Janet Stait at Stainless Systems on Sydney Road |
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| Wednesday 6 th Febuary 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 WYONG MAYOR SALUTES RAIDERS
The Blue Haven Raiders were the first club on the Central Coast to be accredited with Good Sports membership. Wyong Council Mayor Mr Warren Welham,has invited Brian to attend Wyong Council Chambers on Thursday 7th February to recieve the Blue Haven Raiders certification award. This award and last years Wyong Council sports nomination represents the ongoing focus of the Blue Haven Raiders mission to provide a safe, family friendly community owned sporting club |
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| Tuesday 5 th Febuary '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By : Emma Greenwood  IF the Northern Pride suffers an injury crisis in its maiden Queensland Cup season, it already has a remedy in place. Pride Academy coach Troy Cummings is not about to wish an injury curse on the rugby league club but knows that he has a ready-made solution should the senior team need to call on his charges. Cummings’ Pride Academy had its first hitout on Saturday, beating a Cairns under-18 combination 34-6 at Yarrabah. "Their defence is rock solid and when I see good defence like that I’m always happy," Cummings said. "I can’t fault them, the kids are great." One of the first moves Pride officials made when they were accepted into the Queensland Cup last year was institute an academy, to run along the same lines as the successful Taipans Academy. As with Taipans’ Academy coach Aaron Fearne, Cummings is an assistant coach of the senior side and liaises closely with Pride head coach Andrew Dunemann, who Cummings said was as interested in the youngsters’ progress as he was in the improvement of his older charges. Cummings has been working with the youngsters for almost three months over the off-season but the players will now train sparingly with the Pride, being based instead with their Cairns District Rugby League clubs for the local league season. |
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| MANLY V NORTHS TRIAL MATCH, MATCH REPORT The Manly Sea Eagles Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams played their first official trial against the North Sydney Bears last Saturday at TG Milner Field. Although the weather was dismal due to constant rain the field was in excellent condition. The Bears come out with plenty of enthusiasm in the first 20 minutes and posted the first try of the match. However the boys weathered the early stages and once they settled there were some encouraging signs. The Sea Eagles won this Harold Matthews trial 32 points to 8. Fullback James Coote, centre William Hopoate and winger Baden Donegal were always dangerous with the footy and centre Jason Hayward scored two neat tries .While Brendan Hurd and Adam Stalgis were impressive in the forwards. Before the SG Ball trial there was torrential rain which forced the delay of the game. When the match eventually started the Sea Eagles come out in the right frame of mind and with weight of possession scored 3 tries within the first 10 minutes. The young Sea Eagles won 36 points to nil. Second row forward David Thomas scored 2 tries with props Lama Tasi and James Cunningham solid. Malcolm Parry was smart from dummy half and worked particularly well with halves Jason Annear and Brad Bennett who delivered strong individual performances. There were other strong performers particularly Mitchell Porter David Sheehan and William Dunn. This Saturday 9th Feb, we host the Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval for our last trial before the competition begins on the 16th (we have bye rd 1). Harold Matthews kick off 3.30pm, SG Ball kick off 5.00pm. |
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| Monday 4 th Febuary 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 TEST skipper Darren Lockyer says Mackay should be the base for a fourth NRL franchise in Queensland as part of another expansion of the code in 2012. Lockyer was among the headline acts at the NRL fan day extravaganza at Homebush. It saw 15,000 fans mingle with more than 400 first-grade stars to celebrate the game's centenary year. NRL chief executive David Gallop revealed last season that plans to introduce a fourth Queensland team - possibly at Ipswich - could be in place within a decade. Gallop has an ally in Lockyer. But the Brisbane skipper believes the thriving sugarcane town of Mackay should be next on the list. The Maroons maestro said the inclusion of the Mackay Cutters in this year's Queensland Cup is proof the region had the ingredients to warrant an NRL licence. Lockyer said Redcliffe and Ipswich were other expansion areas to consider. "At this point in time, we're probably not ready (for expansion) but maybe in another four years we can introduce a team somewhere on the central coast of Queensland," Lockyer said. "League is very popular in the Mackay area. They've just put a team in the Queensland Cup, so they would be received as well as the Cowboys. "People in that area love rugby league and all those from Mackay travel to the Cowboys games. If the Mackay people had a team a bit closer to them, it would stack up. "It's a growing city and the population could certainly justify a team there. "I think down the track it (a fourth Queensland team) can work. Obviously we need to learn from previous experiences and make sure that all the criteria stacks up before you bring in a fourth team. "But I think with the population growth and the popularity of rugby league growing, it's inevitable there will be another team in Queensland." |
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The North Sydney Bears have fired the starting gun on their Centenary celebrations with a well supported display at the Harvey Norman Fan Day on Saturday. Right slam dunk in the middle of stalls from fellow foundation clubs Newtown, Balmain & Western Suburbs and all 16 NRL clubs, the stall received a sizeable patronage over a 5 hour period. Draped in red & black by supporters Ros Dare and Ken McLoughlin, the stall featured information on the Club including up coming matches and membership information, as well as the sale of raffle tickets for a Bears supporters pack - the lucky winner being Brendan Junge. Fans from all clubs were also asked to pledge their support for a Bears NRL franchise by signing a petition throughout the day. Special Thanks to volunteers Ros Dare, Ken McLoughlin, Matt Girvan and Curtis Johnston for manning the stall.
The Bears next Centenary event will be the marking of the Club’s inaugural meeting which occurred on 7th February 1908. This event is to be held this Thursday the 7th of February in the Mount Street Mall in the heart of North Sydney. This location is only a grubber kick away from the original North Sydney School of Arts, where a public meeting initiated the birth of the Bears and North Sydney Mayor and ex Bears Captain Jason Taylor will be on hand to pay their respects. “It’s an important event for the North Sydney Club and for the history of Rugby League in this country” claims North Sydney Legend & General Manager Greg Florimo. “Together with our fellow foundation Clubs our founding fathers paved the way for what is now the dominant sport on the East Coast of Australia. It’s a tribute to the spirit and dedication of the people that have contributed to the Club over the past 100 years.” The following Sunday the Bears will throw open the gates of North Sydney Oval to fans in a free open birthday bash, that will also give fans a chance to have a game of tag footy with some of the great legends of the past such as Jason Taylor, Les Kiss, David Fairleigh, Michael Buettner, Matt Seers, Josh Stuart, Mark Cannon, Gavin Jones, David Peachey and Greg Florimo. “The old Bears crew are fired up” says Flo. “It’s been a while for some of the boys so match day nerves could unsettle them – you never can tell. We are also opening up the change sheds to the public with a historic display and there will be plenty of other activities on the day to satisfy the biggest Bear’s appetite”. Check the Bears website http://www.northsydneybears.com.au for more details about your chance to play tag with the legends. Entry on Sunday at North Sydney Oval will be free with the festivities to start at 11am, and finish at around 3pm. | Learn More about the North Sydney Juniors | |
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| Saturday 2 nd FEBUARY '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story By : Mark Daoud - in his own words 
uhh i goto st pats dundas...im the most expirienced player of my age group that i know, i started playing when i was 4 and had to repeat under 6's a few times because of my age, 2008 will be my tenth year. I played for the cougars in my first 3 years, then holy cross for 2 years but now im with shamrocks and starting my 5th year, i wont be leaving shamrocks anytime soon. I play absolutely any position except for wing as i love getting involved. Im not the biggest player but i dont back down from big players my coach often makes me follow them. I often top the tackle count and hit ups, i score a try or 2 most games and make line breaks. I play full games even when im exhausted i dont come off. I am captain of shamrocks and played most of the season attacking out wide in the centres but defending where'ever the ball goes. I hope 2 get a scholarship at a rugby league school but dont know if i will. But when i think about that i think about leaving my friends especially the 2 that ive bonded with over rugby league. Billy Katsiris and Nathan Bechara are great players as well and the 3 of us make a good combination. I sometimes step into 5/8 when im needed but mostly play in the centres or anywhere in the forwards. 2007 was the first year we had reps and most the shamrocks community was expecting me and another great player to be selected. evryone in my life knows that nothing matters to me more then rugby league. its my passion and i cant see myself doing anything else when i grow up. I play for the passion and i dont care what the payment is if i play when im older, ill play for free. ill do whatever it takes to make it. When the first development squad was announced i wasn't included. My coach told me that the selecteors asked about me every time so i was confident. When i didnt make it i was never sadder in my life. I couldnt talk to anyone, my coach later told me a situation that they mixed me and another player of our team up. With all the hopes of reps i thought were gone i focused on playing for my local teaqm the dundas shamrocks. I then was estatic to find i was called up after the selectiors watched the final games of our season. I was happy but still thought that i would start on the bench obviously. After a week of studying the play book, i knew them as well as any other player in the team and i grew in convidence and was talking alot, then as i showed up to our trial game which was one half of our 40 man squad verse the other, the coach told me i was captain of the black team, i played this game and the cronulla game after, and then the 40 man squad was being cut to the top 22 and i was disapointed when both centres were read out and i wasnt either of them i was shattered as i thought it was a 20 man squad when the 20 was announced and i wasnt in it, then 2 more names were read out and i was the final name and i was pretty excited. i Know if i have a proper run i can be promoted to the starting side. I am hopeful that i will make the squad again next year as if i make it i goto queensland. i like pumping up my team and whenever we're down and out my team motto is NGU-Never give up, 2008 is looking like a good season for the shamrocks. |
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 St George Illawarra young gun Michael Lett is hoping to start realising the potential he showed as a schoolboy. The 20-year-old was a team-mate of Melbourne star Greg Inglis in the 2004 Australian schoolboys side, but unlike Inglis, has yet to establish himself in the top flight. Lett made his first-grade debut for the Roosters against Cronulla in round 15 of the 2005 season. The outside back played just two more matches in the top flight for the tri-colours, with an ankle injury seriously limiting his time on the paddock the following season. He switched to Parramatta for 2007 but it proved a short stay, the former Narooma Devils junior jumping ship from the Eels mid-year to join the Dragons. "I was looking at somewhere to get a shot in first grade - that's really why I came to the Dragons and hopefully (this year) I'll get a shot in the big time," Lett said. "I want to make my debut for the Dragons and also play a few games, not just one or two." Lett came close to breaking into first grade at his new club last year but ended up having to settle for remaining in Premier League. At least the Premier League Dragons did feature in the finals, unlike their top-flight counterparts. Lett played mostly at fullback but he is happy playing in a range of positions. "Anywhere in the backs, really," he said. "If I get picked on the wing I'll play on the wing, the centres, fullback, you know, wherever." Competition for outside back spots will be fierce in 2008 with twin brothers Brett and Josh Morris and Jason Nightingale the frontrunners, with Lett, Frank Samia and newcomer Dean Whare also in the mix. |
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| Friday 1 st Febuary '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NRL REGATTA 2008 - 29TH OF JANUARY 2008 posted by KAZ The third annual NRL Regatta was a huge success. Nineteen yachts, 63 rookies and representatives of the NRL, 38 volunteers of Sailors with disABILITIES and 54 disabled kids battled it out on Sydney Harbour on the 29th of January. Here’s a report from Sandra Pilgrim, one of the SWD crew, on board of Euphoria: Report (story) from Euphoria/Roosters - After initial mayhem of finding Euphoria's motor wouldn't start, we quickly re-charged the battery, did the slip-slop-slap and were pushed off the dock by muscle bound Rooster boys Ben, Marty and Anthony. The Rooster boys were quick to learn how to set the sails, although their weights training didn't seem to pay off when it came to heaving at the mast. Perhaps you'll need to come back again and practice your technique boys. Our calm and controlled skipper Tony handed out the jobs and set the boys to work on the winches. All seemed quiet with our guests Chris and Kevin, but that soon changed. Chris help the rookies on the winch, grinding like a demon. Heading upwind, Anthonym was grinding on the tack, but soon bailed with a shoulder injury. We weren't sure if he was just being a 'wuss', but couldn't risk him being 'out for the season' so we gave him a rest. Marty and Ben quickly stepped in on main and heady trim. We rounded the mark and attempted to find some wind on the downward leg. Thankfully Kevin was ready to back up while the boys headed to the bow to provide us with some entertainment. Anthony sang his Titanic rendition, taught Chris some dance moves and soon the two were 'beat boxing' with some crazy machine gun choreography. The Roosters were already complaining of hunger before we made Shark Island. We still had a way to go so Chris kindly shared his food stash with his new found mates. As we turned Point Piper the wind returned and the boys were back to work in the cockpit. Realising we were losing ground to all the 'motor assisted' boats beside us, the boys were calling out for Skipper to 'put the motor on'. He obliged. We'd played fair til' now, but seeing the creative course other boats were making we tacked across to join them. Hitting more lifeless air, goose winged and headed to the finish line, the boys stopped work for what looked like a rumble on the bow. On closer inspection Anthony, Ben and Marty were underpinned by Chris. He'd found who was ticklish! Our hard working, starving crew dropped the halyards, flaked the sails, docked us safely and raced upstairs for some tucker. Chris hugged his new found found friends, proudly displaying his medallion with a grin from ear to ear! FEEDBACK ON THE DAY: Tracy White, mother of Scott “Thank you for a wonderful day on 29th January 2008. My son Scott and I was welcomed with open arms and we had such a good day. If it wasnt for your organisation my son would never have had the opportunity to experience being on a yacht. There should be more organisations like yours who care about our special ones.” Link to news item on 2GB:http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/01/30/NRL_rookies_take_special_crew_out_yachting |
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Story & Photo By : MATRAVILLE SHS ARE KINGS OF THE SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD As the 2008 AAC season nears with the Arrive alive 7's kicking off next week out at St. Mary's, schools all around Australia can breathe a sigh of relief. 17 year old Ben Jones has left school & will not be a part of the Matraville SHS defence of all their 2007 titles. It's official, the little redheaded terrier has decided not to finish year 12 in '08, which is sad for Matra, but Gr8 from everyone else. Ben confirmed he has left school at the NRL Rookie camp last week. Ben is happy with his decision to leave school to concentrate on his new job, a full time Sydney Roosters NRL player. Ben will play in the Roosters Toyota Cup side this year, Ben his hopeful of getting a starting run in the top Roosters team this year. Good luck Ben, we all hope you have a hot season. |
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| Thursday 31 st January '08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 REFEREES boss Robert Finch has vowed to get "fair dinkum" with grapple tacklers and have them sent from the field in 2008. Speaking last night, Finch outlined a new hardline approach against the infamous submission move first smuggled into league by wrestling coaches. "The grapple tackle moved into our game and now it's time it moved out," Finch warned. "There's been a clear call from league's stakeholders to have the grapple tackle, the crusher tackle and all similar moves eradicated. "And as a result, they will be considered far more serious offences. Send-offs are definitely an option for referees." Finch presented his battle plan yesterday during a unique meeting with coaches and assistants from all 16 NRL clubs at ANZ Stadium. The group used video and practical sessions to cover a range of rule changes which, Finch says, will "ensure we'll all be singing from the same hymn book this year". And one NRL superstar welcoming the hardline approach is Melbourne captain Cameron Smith. "Because obviously we've been targeted down here, been called dirty and so on," Smith said. "And now if that's the case we'll have players sent off. But we don't expect to be penalised more than anyone else." | Learn more about referee's here | |
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| SHOOTING STAR WITH LEAGUE PEDIGREE Story By : TEENAGE Brisbane Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh has a family pedigree to suggest he could be a player to watch. His great uncle Kevin Yow Yeh was a Thursday Islander blessed with electrifying speed who started his rugby league career in the centres in country Roma alongside Arthur Beetson. The pair joined Balmain in 1966, Beetson going on to become one of the greats of the game and Yow Yee playing 41 first grade over two seasons including the 1966 losing grand final to St George before sadly disappearing from the rugby league landscape. His nephew, Jharal, is tall and skinny with genuine speed, balance and footwork, according to new Broncos football manager Peter Nolan. "He's pretty quick, maybe not the quickest to come through the club but he's still developing," said Nolan. Yow Yeh has been named in a young Brisbane Broncos side to play the Central Comets at Theodore Sports Ground on Saturday week. The 18-man squad also includes hooker Nathan Strudwick, the son of former Valleys and Queensland halfback Ross Strudwick and teenager Ben Hunt, who was the Australian Schoolboys halfback last year. Yow Yeh hails from Brisbane and plays for Brisbane Norths. Another interesting youngster in the 18-man squad is big second-rower Palmer Wapua. Wapua played alongside Matt Bowen when they attended Abergowrie College together. None of Brisbane's new recruits will debut against the Comets but they should all be on show in two trials the following week against the Cowboys in north Queensland and against Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly in Brisbane. |
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| PANTHERS SELECTED FOR WESTERN SYDNEY ACADEMY OF SPORT Story By : Panthers With the Panthers SG Ball side trimmed down to 22 after trials against Manly and the Bulldogs, players released have been allocated to the Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) in the NSWRL Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions. Now into its second season, the WSAS program offers local juniors an alternative pathway to playing NRL for Panthers or another NRL club. The program operates under the stewardship of former Panthers Development Officer Jim Jones. “Judging by the quality of players that we have sent to WSAS, they should have a very successful season in the SG Ball competition,” said Panthers SG Ball Coach Alex Melville. “The WSAS coach Chris Bradbury has been a regular at our sessions and is committed to ensuring that the quality education of our local juniors occurs through the WSAS program. I wish our boys all the very best for the season”. Players selected to play for WSAS in the 2008 SG Ball Cup competition are: | SEE THE PLAYER LIST | |
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 BRYNJAR Ragnarsson is Iceland's gift to rugby league. All 196 centimetres and 112 kilograms, complete with the blond hair and piercing blue eyes that feature in the Nordic countries. Believed to be the first league player from that part of the world, Ragnarsson learnt the game after he came to Australia as a child from Reykjav'aacík, the capital of Iceland which is the least populous and the second smallest of the Nordic countries. His parents liked Coffs Harbour and stayed. And the boys grew up surfing the NSW north coast, before Brynjar took a liking to league. He quickly grew out of his boots and his favoured centre position in junior league eventually moving up to the front row. And his displays impressed the Brisbane Broncos, earning the then 17-year-old a contract after solid displays with Aspley in the Queensland Cup where he played alongside the likes of Sam Thaiday, Tame Tupou, Joel and Jason Moon and former Sharks forwards, Andrew Lomu and Clifford Manua. However, Ragnarsson said he jumped at the chance to join Ricky Stuart's Sharks when offered a contract at the end of last season to play in the Australian-wide Under 20s competition. Employed as a greenkeeper at Sharks Woolooware headquarters and housed in the Sharks home for country and interstate players, not far from the surf, he says his life "couldn't be happier". "I've spoke to Ricky a few times and the atmosphere here is so much better ... everyone talks," he said. He wants to go back to Iceland, a population of just over 300,000 but now recognised as the most developed society in the world (ranked first on the United Nations Human Development Index) and take back some better video packages of rugby league. "My dad has sent my relatives some footage of me playing in the Queensland Cup. I don't think anyone knew about the game until they arrived," he added with a laugh. As cold as ice? Well, not really. But the 19-year-old has ambitions. "I want to get into first grade this season. You don't like to see your team-mates injured, but if I get the chance I'm going to grab it." And, with big hands. The Sharks and Dragons will take part in Saturday's special NRL Fan Day at ANZ Stadium. |
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 A DESIRE to learn from one of his favourite players was the selling point to lure former Cronulla hooker Ryan Carr to North Queensland. The 19-year-old has had unrivalled success, winning a premiership in the Arrive Alive Cup with Endeavour Sports High School and the best and fairest away and representative player of the year awards for Cronulla in last year's under-18 SG Ball competition. But the lure of working with gun Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne proved to be too strong to resist as Carr packed his bags to join the North Queensland under-20s side. "I want to just learn off Aaron Payne especially, he's equally as good as (Australian hooker) Cameron Smith," Carr said. "It's great to learn off him at training and talk to him and ask him a lot about everything. "And with Matty Bowen and Johnathan Thurston, they're just brilliant all over the park, anything you can learn off them is good. "They're all nice fellas, they look after you and they give you everything you need to know which is good." He may be young, but Carr has grand aspirations of a premiership in his first year and ultimately a first-grade position wearing the No. 9 jersey. "I've been a part of a few good teams like Endeavour and that and in Cronulla we haven't won a premiership, but I got a lot of opportunity there and so hopefully the move up here brings me some good fortune as well, hopefully a premiership in the 20s," he said. "I've got a trial with (the Cowboys first_grade squad) in Rockhampton (in February), the first trial so hopefully I can go good there and make a few impressions and then play some good footy in the under-20s." Cowboys football operations manager Peter Jones said Carr's natural leadership and communication skills had been the deciding factor in bringing him north. "Basically we were looking for a quality hooker and Ryan fitted that bill," he said. "We rang around and did a few checks and all the news came back very positive as far as attitude on the field and also off the field, leadership qualities and also his skills as a player. "Everything he's done so far he's led by example. "He's a very good talker and he leads well." |
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| NATIONAL SCOREBOARD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MATTYS CUP & SG BALL SQUAD LISTS Balmain Cronulla |
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QUEENSLAND SCOREBOARD |
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QUEENSLAND WIZARD CUP *QUEENSLAND STATEWIDE WRAP Round 18. |
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ARL DEVELOPMENT SHIELD *CENTRAL DIVISION *NORTHERN DIVISION |
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NSW SCOREBOARD |
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 CHEERLEADER of the WEEK |
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2007 COWBOYS CHALLENGE 
BRISBANE METRO 
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SYDNEY 
OBE GEIA 
Jeff HARDY
Bulldogs win Harold 2007 Matthews Cup Grand Final | PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE HOSTING & EMAIL SYSTEMS BY : |
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