The Grenfell Goannas will kick off their 2015 season with a Rugby League Invitational Game and Gala Day followed by their Season Launch at the Grenfell Bowling Club. There will be five games on the day beginning at 12pm as follows:
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12pm Grenfell Girlannas v Young Cherryettes (League Tag)
1pm Grenfell Under 18's v Young Cherrypickers Under 18's
2.15pm Grenfell Dinosaurs v Young Cherryatrics (Old Boys)
3.15pm Grenfell Goannas v Yass Magpies
MAIN GAME 5pm Grenfell Expats/Invitational v Young Cherrypickers 1st Grade.Grenfell Player Profiles:
1. Sam Jones (invitational)
Age: 25
Position: Fullback, 5/8
Previous Clubs: Penrith Panthers, Windsor Wolves, St Mary’s Saints
Younger brother of Dean, Sam comes to Grenfell after a solid career in the Panthers National Youth League competition and NSW Cup for the Windsor Wolves. Last year Sam guided his Penrith local A-grade side St Marys to a premiership win and was awarded man of the match.
2. Anthony Eppelstun (Expat)
Age: 32
Position: Centre/Wing
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas
Ant is a one club player with over 138 games next to his name, considering majority of those games have been played travelling back and forth from Canberra his passion and loyalty to the Goannas is second to none.
His last game was played in 2012, having 2 years off to stretch his hamstrings Ant returns to form the deadly centre/wing partnership that he and Mick created through their junior years.
His experience and ability to score tries out wide will be called upon once again when we take on the Cherry pickers,
3. Mick Armstrong (Expat)
Age: 31
Position: Centre
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Bathurst Panthers, Orange Cyms, Bathurst St Pats
Mick is returning home after successfully captaining Bathurst St Pats to a premiership victory in the Group 10 competition.
Mick has built up a reputation as one of the best centres in Country Rugby League. Mick can turn a game on its head with his lethal fend and freak play ability.
Having last played for Goannas back in 2002 we sure are happy to see Mick back in the orange and black.
4. Junior Vatikani (Expat|
Age: 31
Position: Centre
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
The Tongan Tornado is a try scoring freak and currently holds the record for most tries scored (45) in one season which he accomplished back in 2010.
Great to have Junior back and with him and Mick in the centres it will no doubt cause a few headaches for the Cherry pickers defence.
5. James Eppelstun (Expat)
Age: 25
Position: Fullback/Wing
Previous Club: Grenfell Goannas
James form in recent years for the Goannas has been outstanding. His try in the 2010 grand final will go down in Goanna folklore.
He possesses great footwork and speed to burn which will no doubt keep the Cherry pickers on their toes for the whole 80 minutes.
With his current work commitments James will be playing in the Canberra competition next year so it’s great to have him back for one more game
5. Josh Bateman (Expat)
Age: 28
Position: 5/8, Lock
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Parkes Spacemen, Penrith Panthers, Gladstone Brothers
Born with a ball in his hands Josh went from debuting for the Goannas at the age of 15 to playing NRL for the Penrith Panthers.
The brainchild behind the expats/invitational concept, this bloke has been eating, breathing and sleeping his return to the Goannas Colours.
So pumped for his return, Bato has stripped around 20kgs to fit back into the number 6 jersey.
One thing guaranteed he’ll leave nothing in the tank and will cause the Cherrypickers plenty of headaches with his crafty ball playing and solid defence.
7. Mark Horne (Veteran)
Age: Unknown
Position: Halfback
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Koorawatha Jets, Burrongong Bears
What can we say about this man! Former best and fairest, Captain Coach, Premiership titles, current record holder for most games ever played for the Goannas at271 and the list goes on.
Hornet is turning back the clock for this game and has been quoted as saying that he’s trained harder in the last 10 weeks than he has in the last 10 years!
Will look to lead the team at half with his experience and pride in the jumper and we might even see his trademark dummy chip and chase.
8. Brendan Hewen (local)
Age: 27
Position: Prop
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Parkes Spacemen, Yass Magpies
One of the best local juniors to come through in the past 15 years, Brendon has always put his hand up to do the hard yards with the goannas.
Built like the perfect prototype of a destructive wide running back rower in his early 20s, a Eugowra player was quoted as saying he is the fastest front rower he has ever seen after a starring role in the 2010 grand final.
Will be backing up from the Goannas game this Saturday but that won’t stop him from putting on a few shots and leading from the front.
10. Blake “Bear’’ Blackburn (invitational)
Age: 29
Position: Prop
Previous Clubs: Penrith Panthers, Wynnum Seagulls, Wentworthville Magpies, Penrith Brothers
This man mountain was also part of the 2006 Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg (U 20’s) Grand final winning side.
From there Bear has played in both the Qld Cup and NSW cup competitions.
His ability too off the ball and pass under pressure is a great feature to his game.
He’s a meter eater and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and will be another one leading from the front on March 21st.
9. Dean Jones (invitational)
Age: 28
Position: Hooker/Lock
Previous Clubs: Penrith Panthers, Gladstone Brothers, St Mary’s Saints
Dean Jones is Penrith Panther royalty. His Grandfather Merv Cartwright was instrumental in gaining Penrith Panthers entry into the NSWRL way back in 1967.
His uncle is Panthers legend John Cartwright and his Dad Jimmy also played first grade for Panthers.
He was also part of the Jersey Flegg (U 20’s) Grand final winning side in 2006.
He’s as cheeky as they come on the field, Cherry pickers can expect plenty of one liners towards them, one of his favourites being “mate l’ve seen bigger arms on a wrist watch”.
11. Steve’Bluey’ Southern
Age: 32
Position: 2”d Row/Lock
Previous Clubs: St George/Illawarra Dragons, NQ Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Gladstone Brothers
Steve has spent the majority of his rugby league career playing in the NRL in Australia. He played his junior rugby league with Dapto juniors and progressed through the youth development system at St George Illawarra Dragons” Steve is affectionately known by NRL fans as “Bluey”.
ln 2004, at the age of 22, Bluey signed for North Queensland Cowboys. He played with the Cowboys for seven seasons, making his debut in 2004. During his time at the club, Bluey made 124 appearances in the NRL, scoring l2 tries.
The highlight of Blueys career,was their2005 Grand Final appearance in which he played second row. We can’t wait to watch Bluey run out for the Goannas which will be a fantastic highlight of the day.
12. Hale Teofilo (Expat)
Age: 32
Position: 2nd Row/Centre
Previous Clubs: GrenfellGoa nnas, Yass Magpies, West Belconnen Warriors
He’s Steve Matai’s clone not only do they look alike but he hits like him as well. Hale returns after stints with Yass Magpies and the West Belconnen Warriors in the Canberra A-grade competitions. Hale was an integral part of our 2010 premiership winning side and we can’t wait to watch the jukebox pull off some big hits once again.
13. Aaron Robinson (Expat)
Age: 29
Position: Lock
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Naval Tridents
Robbo last played for the Goannas back in 2003, after departing Grenfell he joined the Royal Australian
Navy where he is still serving today. Spending months at a time on ships Robbo keeps up a great fitness regime and is priming for a big game. While he’s not out at sea this big unit applies his trade with the Naval Tridents in the South Sydney local Rugby League competition.
14. Jon White (Expat)
Age: 32
Position: Halfback/Hooker
Previous Club: Grenfell Goannas, Duntroon Titans
Jonny White is dusting off the boots and making his long awaited return to the Goannas since 2003. He’s a dual code specialist with his most recent stint being in Rugby Union. Jon returns to the greatest game of all and with his pin point passing and darting runs he will compliment Grenfell’s attack nicely.
15. Phil Rolls ([local)
Age: 29
Position: Utility
Previous Clubs: Grenfel! Goannas, Katherine Tigers
Phil has recently relocated back to Grenfell after a successful career in the Royal Australian Air Force. He also continued his Rugby League career with the Katherine Tigers in the Northern Territory competition.
Rollsy possesses explosive speed off the mark and is the type of player every team wants to have, as he has the rare ability to play almost every position on the field, he’s the ultimate utility
16. James Nightingale (invitational)
Age: 29
Position: Second row/Prop
Previous Clubs: Penrith Panthers, North Sydney Bears, Redcliffe Dolphins, Gladstone Brothers
James is a former Papua New Guinean lnternational representing them in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and again in the 2010 Four Nations. He has a motor that has no off switch; he gets through a mountain of work and will be a huge asset for the Goannas. lt’s great to see another PNG international don the mighty Goanna jumper the last being the late David Buko who won a premiership with Grenfell back in 1998.
17. Bernie Millyn (Expat)
Age:30
Position: Prop/Fullback
Previous clubs: Grenfell Goannas, UTS Balmain
Bernie started his Goannas career as a tall skinny fullback and over the space of a short off season came back as a hulking prop! And that’s where he made his mark at the club.
Like many over the years Bernie chose to travel home to play for his local club whilst working away and with his old man Craig putting in behind the scenes, helped the club through some lean years which eventually resulted in us winning the 2010 grand final.
Will provide size and go forward from the bench, and also a witty sledge or 2 if Young start getting a bit lippy!
18. Steve Berry (Local Veteran)
Age: Unknown
Position:2nd Row Prop
Previous clubs: Grenfell Goannas
Another veteran, Steve has had a distinguished career with the Goannas.
Winning premierships in his debut year of 94 and then again in 98. He’s a fierce competitor and leaves nothing in the tank.
With over 120 games under his belt, he’s another one who will be turning back the clock and the side will be looking to his experience and aggression for a lift throughout the 80min.
19. Nat Rodahl (invitational)
Age: 30
Position: Prop/2nd Row
Previous Clubs: Eden Tigers, Parkes Spacemen, Eugowra Golden Eagles, Calliope Roosters
This journeyman returns to Grenfell for the first time since 2012 where he was playing for Eugowra in the Woodbridge Cup.
Having spent the last few seasons playing in Qld, Nat is keen as mustard to get back to god’s country and represent Grenfell.
The big fella has a huge motor and won’t shy away when the going gets tough.
20. Ben Armstrong (Local Veteran)
Age: Unknown
Position: Prop
Previous Clubs: Grenfell Goannas, Young Cherry pickers
Ben is in a unique position having played for both Goannas and the Cherry pickers throughout his career.
A Grenfell junior he went on to play with Cherry pickers from 1995 till 2005. He returned back to the Goannas for the 2006 season, then adding to that with a handful of games up until 2011.
Ben had a swansong year back with the Cherry pickers in 2012.
This game brings him back to us, he’s a hardened front rower and with some extra motivation on game day we can’t wait to watch Ben charge into some of his old teammates.
21. Jason “Doctor/’ Death (lnvitational Veteran)
Age: Unknown
Position: Hooker/Lock
Previous Clubs: Boorowa Rovers, Canberra Raiders, North Qld Cowboys, NZ Warriors, South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jason kicked off his NRL career in 1991 with the Canberra Raiders, that same year he was named Raiders Rookie of the Year.
After 5 successful seasons with the Raiders, Jason went on to carve out an outstanding career in the NRL having played with such clubs as North Qld Cowboys, NZ Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs. ln that time the Doctor clocked up a remarkable2O2 NRL first grade games. It’s an honour to have Jason join the Goannas and I know all the players and everyone involved cannot wait to have him come out and pass on some of his knowledge and experience
Carl Plannicka ( Utility Player )
Junior Club Cowra
Very Fit, Aggressive player who joins the club from a Group 10 Grandfinal appearance from Cowra last year. Has had a strong preseason and can play anywhere from Fullback thru to backrow.
Bailey Coombes ( outside back )
Junior Club Young
Eligible still to play Under 18s this year, Good Athlete who might have a few first graders looking over their shoulders this year if he realises his potential.
Andre Singh Kahui ( fullback) Zach Chong Knee ( centre)
Two Kiwis who we hope arrive in Australia before the match, both involved with Warriors system over the last few years with impressive resumes, will be a handful for the opposition.
Jake Veney ( outside back)
Junior Club Young
Was awarded the clubs best back last year, tough and ultra consistent, hits like a backrower,
Nick Hall ( Prop/ Bk rower)
Junior Club St Christophers Panania.
Club Legend, who is like a fine wine, still dominates blokes half his age and always up the front at training even considering his no spring chicken.
Luke Branighan Capt/Coach ( halfback / Five Eight )
Junior Club Coogee Randwick Wombats
Well Travelled who has played in the NRL as well as overseas in France and England. Starting his 4th year at the club and loves pulling on the picker jersey.
Kyle Richens ( prop)
Junior Club Young
Back from a stint at Toukley last year up the central coast, has been training the house down, think we will see the best of him this year. Talented Footballer.
Neil Thorman (Utility)
Junior Club Newcastle Eagles
English Import who played with Branighan at Gateshead Thunder in 2009, On his day is a matchwinner, will create plenty of headaches out of dummy half
Jake Dawe ( Prop)
Junior Club Young
Plays well above his weight and is tough for a young bloke, high workrate and good speed for a prop.
Warren Aiken (Backrow)
Junior club Queanbeyan Blues
Has trimmed down in the last 12 months and the town will finally see how good he is, Played lower grades at the raiders, super 12s for the brumbies and was in a hot Australian Schoolboys team in 1999 with Branighan.
Shawn Brown ( Hooker, Forward )
Junior Club Young
The kind of bloke you want to play with, Tough, good trainer, and high workrate. Never plays a bad game.
Matt Wakefield ( Lock/ Five Eight )
Junior Club Kenso United
Big Signing for club, will bring the mental toughness the clubs been lacking, strong, good footwork and speed, one best players running around in Central Coast Comp last few years.
Jason Brown (Bk Row)
Junior Club Young
Experienced First Grader with a great offload and good line runner , great clubman and doing a great job on the Committee.
Jayson Smith ( Half/ Five Eight )
Junior Club Young
Another who has trained hard over the off season, signed from the Young Yabbies, has good speed and silky skills.
Matt Murray ( Half / Five eight)
Junior Club Young
Very talented, won Group 9 player of the year against kids 12 months older and eligible for 18s again, blistering speed, in Raiders SG Ball squad.
Jayke Hogan ( bk rower/ Centre )
Another who has flourished physically with an off season with the raiders SG Ball Train on squad, eligible for under 18s, like Coombes and Murray could keep the first graders on their toes all year.
Aaron Slater ( prop)
Junior Club Young
Great physique for a young bloke, Raw, but very tough, Probably hasn’t realised yet how good he can be, handled himself well in a few First Grade games last year.
Luke Williams ( prop)
Junior Club Young
Another Young Prop who looks after himself, Good work rate and has plenty of footy in him, made his First Grade Debut last year. Very Consistent Footballer.
Saul Lealaitafea (Prop)
Junior Club Bayroskil Vikings
Crowd favourite who when fit is very damaging, has good footwork and offload for a big man, won clubs best forward in 2013.
Jake Rudd (Wing )
Junior club Young
One of the more popular blokes at the club, always puts his body on the line, scored the try of the year last year in reggies.
Will Scott & Jack Bush ( Utility Forwards)
Junior Club Young
Both very Young but rewarded for outstanding off seasons in regards to attendance and application, Will is very tough and durable while Jack is deceptive with the ball with good footwork. Both Eligible for under 18s.
