FARRER Memorial Agricultural High School’s open rugby league side starts its 2016 University Shield campaign in Newcastle this morning under-strength and playing a new brand of football.
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The Chris Oxford-coached side is missing some key players such as Greater Northern Under 18 star James Fisk, Jake Saunders and Jack Rumsby.
Cameron Thorne has been named in the centres but a decision on his participation won’t be made until today while Country representative Hayden Loughrey has been named at fullback but is carrying an ankle injury.
Fisk has been rested for a month after receiving two concussions and has around another fortnight before he plays again, Oxford said.
“Cameron Thorne was injured playing for North Tamworth at Gunnedah on Sunday too,” he said of the talented forward.
“We’ll make a decision tomorrow (Wednesday) about Cameron.”
While Fisk is out, so too are Saunders and Rumsby.
Injuries aside, Oxford has a good squad lacking just one vital ingredient – size.
With no big men as the side had in past years, he’s reverted to a style utilising the pace and flair of his squad.
“It’s a style I’ve always wanted to play,” Oxford said.
“I finally have a group of boys who are happy to change too.
“We want to play more open, move the ball around and take a few risks.
“We want to use the width of the field – move the big boys (on opposing sides) around the park.”
Talent abounds in his squad too with Loughrey, Thorne, Tom Baker, Alec Cocking, Ryan Ingram, Jack Cameron and Jack Patterson all playing in Greater Northern Tiger junior sides this season.
Elevated to the elite tier of the University Shield this year, the side isn’t facing a knockout situation when they play Hunter Sports High at St John’s Oval, Charlestown today.
Being a round robin, they will be even better for the run when they kick off at 11.30am.
FARRER FIRST XIII: 1 Hayden Loughrey, 2 Angus Windred, 3 Cameron Thorne, 4 Tom Baker, 5 Lachlan Windred, 6 Mitchell Sheridan, 7 Marcus Hayne, 8 Alex Cocking, 9 Ryan Ingram, 10 Jack Cameron, 11 Jack Patterson, 12 Toby Keys, 13 Connor Size, 14 Ben Price, 15 Jack Kelly, 16 Jacob Latham, 17 Logan Chown, 18 Jack Inder. Coach Chris Oxford.
