WESTERN coach Michael Sullivan freely admits he didn’t know a lot about the Group 11 players leading into Saturday’s representative trials, but he was left impressed as nine players from the region gained Rams selection.
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But the shock selection came with three players named in the Western Division team despite not playing on Saturday, where Group 11 defeated Group 10 14-6.
Mudgee duo Jack Afamasaga and Demetrius Anu, along with Bathurst St Pat’s star Gary Reilly, were named despite missing Saturday’s action but Sullivan said there was no doubting their quality and they were fully deserving of their spots.
“Reilly is at the World Cup, captaining New Zealand at touch footy so that’s a fair excuse after getting picked and I know his talent and he would have had a great game today,” he said.
“Jack speaks for himself and I don’t think anyone who has played with or against him would question his selection and Demetrius is the other and he’s along the same lines, he’s got Sydney experience and I know all those guys are quality players and if they were there today it’s a very close game.”
Sullivan and his selection committee went with a side packed with strength up front with Group 11 powerhouses Justin Toomey-White, Brendan Tago, Jake Grace and Ben Maguire joined by Group 10 forwards Dane Howarth and Simon Osborne, as well as Afamasaga and Anu.
WESTERN RAMS: Jyie Chapman, John Grey, Keiran Shipp, Colby Pellow (Dubbo CYMS), Jeremy Smith (Dubbo Macquarie), Brendan Tago (Parkes Spacemen), Jake Grace, Ben Maguire (Forbes Magpies), Justin Toomey-White (Wellington Cowboys), Jack Afamasaga, Demetrius Anu, Corin Smith (Mudgee Dragons), Benjamin John, Garry Reilly (Bathurst St Pat’s), Simon Osborne, Ben McAlpine (Orange CYMS), Dane Howarth (Blayney Bears)
