THE appearance of former Australian and NSW rugby league representative Mark O’Meley for St Pat’s in Saturday’s Group 10 premier league match against the Blayney Bears has the Bathurst team buzzing with excitement.
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It was recently announced that renowned workhorse prop would be making a single start for Pat’s, creating an exciting day for the Bathurst club who will also be celebrating their annual Blue and White Ball.
One of the players who will be working closest with the former NRL legend is Benjamin John.
The Pat’s hooker will be delivering most of the balls for O’Meley to run onto – something he never imagined he’d get to do.
”I didn’t expect this. It’s so exciting to play alongside a legend like him,” he said.
“I remember watching him when he was playing for NSW. He was such a hard, forward runner.
“They said he would be coming out here for the Blue and White Ball and I thought be something like a guest speaker but then we found he’d be playing for us too. It’s amazing."
O’Meley brings over 200 games of NRL plus four years of English Super League experience into Saturday’s game, which has been moved to Carrington Park.
John said Saturday’s game is a fantastic opportunity for the younger Pat’s players, particularly his fellow forwards, to make the most of what could be a valuable learning experience.
“I think it’s great because the young forwards can learn a lot from him,” he said.
“For the club it’s great to have someone like him playing here. The young forwards have a great opportunity to learn. It’s like I say to them, if you’re unsure it’s always good to ask questions.”
The Saints had a warm up session with O’Meley on Friday afternoon.
O’Meley is expected to come off the bench for the match.
Pat’s forward Brady Cheshire will be one of the Saints looking to take plenty away from playing alongside O’Meley.
“It’s going to be great. It will be good for the club and we should get a great crowd down to watch,” he said.
“The boys have really started to lift up at training and are getting excited for it.
“It will be good for everyone to learn from him and he’ll probably help show us a few techniques.”
Cheshire said he too remembers watching O’Meley strut his stuff for NSW, as well as his best years at the Canterbury Bulldogs.
“I remember when him and Bryce Gibbs were at it,” he said, in reference to O’Meley’s crunching contact on the Wests Tigers front rower in 2007.
“He’s going to be great for motivating the boys.
“I remember him for his pure toughness. He never let anyone stand over him. He always wanted to be the boss.”
Saturday’s match will start at 2.30pm.
