In an exclusive interview held at lunchtime today, U16s Boys Head Coach and Director of Rugby (League & Union), Mr. Matthew Sharp, revealed the team he will be taking into the Eels Cup qualifying rounds this Friday at TRL Stadium –
Ryan
Osca Bonar
William McCallum
Brad Tanner (VC)
Cohen Patch
Jack Miller
Kye Ryan
David Stevens
Campbell Stolberg
Trent Harvey
Koen Hughes (C)
Nathaniel Brown
Alfie Walker
Mickey Tilmouth
Harry Heath
Jayden Lih
Lachlan Coble
Josh Marsh
Jayden Mick
Elijah Williamson
Lachlan Fowler
Daniel Murphy
Unavailable – Anthony McMah, Fraser Brown.
Coach Sharp suggested that it was a ‘changing of the guard’ type of year for MacKillop with a number of players from the previous two championship Eels seasons moving up into the Opens Boys team -
‘We are going into this Eels Cup with a young team, but at its core, a successful team that has had a lot of time playing together in Union and club Rugby League. I’ll really be looking towards previous Cup winners Ryan, Koen and Brad to lead our newer players through the competition rounds. Have no doubt about it though, this team is well-prepared and will be coming into the tournament ready to defend their title’.
When asked to nominate some players to keep an eye on through the qualifying rounds, Sharp pointed towards winger Osca Bonar and Captain Koen Hughes as two people he expected to have big tournaments. Osca Bonar will represent the side for the final time before a move interstate and will be looking to leave the team on a high note. Koen Hughes on the other hand, is back and fresh off an injury that saw him play below 100% fitness in the elimination Union final two weeks ago. Expect to see a very motivated team captain come game day.
A lot of responsibility will lay on the broad shoulders of starting props, David Stevens and Trent Harvey, in the absence of their bookend counterparts, Anthony McMah and Fraser Brown who will be absent from the team. McMah’s shock move interstate this week and Brown’s recovery from a surgery may leave the team a little light on the bench but it does give an opportunity to debutant, Jayden Lih, to show the competition what has to give.
Saints first game will be at 9.30am against crosstown rivals, Palmerston College with their second pool game against the highly fancied Taminmin 1 at 10.30am. If successful in the pool rounds, a high stakes playoff for a position in the Grand Final to be played next term as the curtain raiser event to the Parramatta Eels NRL match vs the North Qld Cowboys, will be in store from 12;30 onwards. Parents and supporters are most welcome to attend.
Best wishes to our Boys and also our Girls who play on the Thursday in their tournament.
April O’Neil – Reporting Correspondent