Muswellbrook’s Beau Dixon looks for an opening on his way to GNA selection at Scully Park on Saturday. Photo: Grant Robertson 061012GRB27
IF THE talent chosen to be part of the Wests Greater Northern Academy is any indication, the region is still producing some pretty handy rugby league players.
Included in this year’s squad are Group 4’s four Country U16 representatives, as well as a couple of rugby union reps and plenty of other youngsters with a lot of potential.
The job of the GNA is to develop that potential and the coaches are ready for that task.
“Overall we’re happy with the two sides we’ve picked,” GNA head coach Peter Stevens said.
“There’s a couple of hard luck stories in there.
“Zac McGuinness is one who can feel a bit unlucky.
“It’s good to see a few Group 19 kids make it.
“And it’s good to see a couple of Bingara kids make it.
“They trialled well so they’re in the side.”
Group 19 will have its best representation for a number of years when the players from Bingara are added in.
Groups 4 and 21 are well represented, as always, but the number of players from G19 is a nice result for the Group.
CRL U16s reps Beau Parry, who also made the NSW U16s squad this year, Callum Hayne, Zack Leonard and Mitch Doring are all included in the under 17s squad.
Parry was involved last year as a scholarship holder.
Jimmy Widders-Leece, who is currently away with the NSW Indigenous team, was also given a spot even though he couldn’t make the trials on Saturday.
The squad will meet at Scully Park for induction and fitness testing on October 20.
GREATER NORTHERN ACADEMY SQUAD: Jaime Abbas (Warialda), Harrison Abra (Bingara), Nathaniel Abrahamse (Muswellbrook), Tyler Austin (Merriwa), James Ballinger (Delungra), Drew Brown (Scone), Ethan Calliess (Invergowrie), Wade Campbell (Glen Innes), Jake Cocking (Manilla), Zac Collett (Muswellbrook), Lochie Collins (Tamworth), Jake Collison (Scone), Beau Dixon (Muswellbrook), Mitchell Doring (Tamworth), Tyler Fleming (Gunnedah), Matthew Fox (Inverell), Jay Gallagher (Glen Innes), Adam Hamilton (Singleton), Callum Hayne (Gunnedah), Lyall Houghton (Pilliga), Jacob Kennedy (Aberdeen), Josh Kenny (Singleton), Blake Kersely (Singleton), Zack Leonard (Werris Creek), Angus MacTavish (Duri), Dylan Manicaros (Manilla), James Mapperson (Gunnedah), Troy Martin (Tamworth), Alf Newman (Moree), Beau Parry (Werris Creek), Rohan Pottinger (Muswellbrook), Jordan Press (Uralla), Josh Pursche (Tamworth), Daniel Rafter (Bingara), Tremayne Sanbrook (Nemingha), David Smith (Gunnedah), Kyle Smith (Muswellbrook), Zander Smith (Dungowan), James Widders-Leece (Armidale), Tyler Wolfgang (Denman), Bevan Wood (Walcha), Liam Zell (Tamworth).