GROUP 11 will be aiming for two wins to maximise the number of players it gets in the Western Rams side when it takes on Group 10 and the Castlereagh League sides in a representative cluster today.
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This year’s Western trials at Caltex Park are different with Castlereagh involved for the first time. Both Group 10 and 11 will play a 40 minute trial against Castlereagh before turning their attention to a one hour clash against each other.
With competition for spots in the Rams team expected to be high, Group 11 coach Darren Jackson said victories would be the best way for his players to set themselves apart.
“Traditionally the best way to get players in the side has been to get a win. If Group 11 has won they might end up with 12 out of the 17 players being picked or if they lose it might only be five. That’s how important the win is,” Jackson said.
“This year is a little bit different with Castlereagh in there. They will also be doing everything they can to push their players forward. If we can win both games, I think we’re in a good place.”
The Group 11 mentor is expecting both opponents to aim up and he thinks the short game will suit Castlereagh.
“They play a pretty flashy style of football and with the unlimited interchange they can just keep rotating players. I think they are a real danger. Group 10 beat us last year and they have a fairly unchanged squad so both games will be a test.”
Group 11 named their side a fortnight ago, after the opening round of the competition, and Jackson has been pleased there has only been one change to that team.
Westside centre Quinton Dickerson has been forced to withdraw through injury and Macquarie’s Rowan Orcher has taken his place.
Parkes forward Epi Sadrodro has also come into the side as 18th man.
“I think we’ve got that good blend of youth and experience. A lot of these guys were here last year but there are some new faces. There has been a change in the halves with Colby Pellow joining incumbent Western halfback Jacob Neale in the side,” Jackson said.
Group 11’s match against Castlereagh is expected to start at 4.20pm while the match against Group 10 will be under lights at approximately 6.15pm.
GROUP 11: 1 Sam Dwyer (Parkes), 2 John Grey (CYMS), 3 Jyie Chapman Dubbo (CYMS), 4 Rowan Orcher (Macquarie), 5 Kieran Cubby-Ship (CYMS), 6 Colby Pellow (CYMS), 7 Jacob Neale (Nyngan), 8 Brendon Tago (Parkes), 9 Jeremy Smith (Macquarie), 10 Ben Maguire (Forbes), 11 Justin Toomey-White (Wellington), 12 Jack Medlyn (Parkes), 13 Jake Grace (Forbes), 14 Tino Ionatana (Parkes), 15 Ken Everson (Wellington), 16 Zac Merritt (Forbes), 17 Richard Peckham (Wellington), 18 Epi Sadrodro (Parkes)
