Tamworth Over 35s captain/coach Steve Corbett is flanked by teammates and two of the three co-sponsors Craig power (left) and Gary Fitzgibbon (right). Photo: Geoff O'Neill 130313GOF01
OZTAG Tamworths Over 35 men’s oztag side might be the only side representing the city at this weekend’s State Cup in Wollongong but the Steve Corbett-skippered side is confident of success and hoping it might win the title and earn a State of Origin berth for NSW against Queensland later in the year.
Steve Corbett is captain-coach of the side, and one of two Australian reps in the team.
He and Will Jerrard add plenty of finesse to the side and will spearhead much of the play, said player and co-sponsor Craig Power.
“We do expect to go well,” Power said.
“We’ve got a strong side and have been training well together. This side was formed as a last minute thing last year when Tamworth got those Oztag Championships at the last minute.
“We decided to stick together. We competed at the nationals and reached the quarter finals but we wanted to peak at this State Cup.
“If we can win the Over 35s then the whole side is automatically the NSW side and gets to play Queensland in a State Of Origin.”
That’s a huge bonus for the side which has also roped in a couple of vet stars from the over 50s – Geoff Sharpe, David Barnett and Tim Thompson.
The Tamworth side plays its first game today at 4.30pm after a long trip in The Pub Group bus.
The Pub Group, represented by Craig Power, and Nyman’s Smash Repairs, represented by owner Gary Fitzgibbon, are two of the three sponsors of the side. Corey Ison’s The Kitchen Men is the other sponsor.
TAMWORTH 035s: Steve Corbett (capt/coach), Will Jerrard, Damien Wendt, Paul Kelly, Duncan McCauley, Shaun Cloake, Corey Ison, Jeff Suey, Andrew Green, Jade Kaye, Gary Fitzgibbon, Craig Power, Geoff Sharpe, David Barnett, Tim
Thompson.