John Brady makes a break against Glen Innes in the University Shield earlier this year. He is one of the key men in today’s semi-final. Photo: Grant Robertson 040512GRA20
FARRER Memorial Agricultural High School’s First XIII takes on Yanco Agricultural High School today but there will be nothing agricultural about the football.
There’s a place in the University Shield final on the line after all.
The semi-final is a chance for the Farrer boys to reach the state decider for the third time in five years and a big home crowd can help them make it happen.
“Being at home should be an advantage,” coach Damian Kenniff said.
“The Eagle Vale game was probably good preparation for us.
“We weren’t at our best but somehow we scraped a win.
“You need those untidy games I think.
“But Yanco will be very hard.
“They’ll play a grinding game and complete their sets and kick.”
Farrer had to dig deep to beat Eagle Vale High in last week’s quarter-final in Sydney.
One of the youngest players in the squad, winger Callum Hayne, scored three tries as Farrer won 38-28 after falling behind in the second half.
The green and golds may have dodged a bullet in that one but will have a stronger side on the field today.
Jacob Booby returns after missing the quarter-final though injury, while Brad Cappello is back in the centres where he will partner Kyle Avery.
“It’s good to have Cappello back,” Kenniff said.
“Kyle Avery was probably our best last week, but now we’ve got a natural centre back.
“Booby is in good form.
“I’ll look to Booby and the Bradys (Matt and John Brady) and Cappello to lead them.”
The winner will face Tumut High in the Uni Shield final at Shark Park in Sydney next Wednesday, the same venue as the 2010 decider when Farrer last lifted the shield.
The only players still in the side from that day are the Brady brothers, who played on the wing in 2010.
Matt is now at fullback and John at five-eighth.
They form the spine with Booby and Logan Harris.
“For the Bradys and Logan Harris this is it for them,” Kenniff said.
“Six years of rugby league.
“I think they deserve to get there because they’ve always put a lot of effort in and always put the school first.”
Kickoff is 10am at Farrer’s John Simpson Oval.
FARRER: 1 Matt Brady, 2 Callum Hayne, 3 Brad Cappello, 4 Kyle Avery, 5 Will Gooch, 6 John Brady, 7 Jacob Booby, 8 Josh Pursche, 9 Logan Harris, 10 Andy Saunders, 11 Tremayne Sanbrook, 12 Ben Allen, 13 Zander Smith, 14 Jake Cocking, 15 Liam Zell, 16 Dylan Manicaros, 17 Amith Kumar, 18 Tyler Harris, 19 Tyler Flemming, 20 Trent Eather.