Group 10 Rugby League journeyman Steve Lane, who is now playing with Orange CYMS, will once again guide the star-studded blockbuster Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) side around at this weekend’s NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout, at Leichhardt.
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Lane, who played for Bathurst Panthers, Lithgow Workies, Mudgee Dragons, Orange Hawks, Blayney Bears and Oberon Tigers before landing at CYMS, is certainly no stranger to the Indigenous Knockout, having played a pivotal role for WAC in previous years.
Although, that has been and will again be at hooker rather than his customary five-eighth role.
“I’ve always tended to play at hooker and run around in the middle in these Knockouts,” Lane said as he was preparing to leave for Sydney.
“I’ve mucked around in these competitions for quite a while now so I know what to expect from this one I think, I’m looking forward to it again though, it’s always a good weekend.”
Lane will be joined in the WAC side by Orange CYMS 2015 premiership-winning guns Trent and Matt Rose, along with their brother George – an NRL premiership winner.
“We’ve always got a pretty side but I’m not really sure who else is lining up, Matty (Rose) keeps that kind of thing close to his chest so we might get a few surprises, but I think we’ll have a side that could (win it),” Lane said.
WAC, who won in 2009, 2010 and 2014, will play Waterloo Storm New Generation in the opening round of the Knockout, which will feature 60 other sides in the top division.
Trent Rose, who won the 2015 Dave Scott Medal for best on ground in the Group 10 grand final, said he’s confident and his side is desperate to earn that winning feeling again.
“There's no better feeling than winning a knockout … it’s the hardest and toughest footy you will have to play,” Rose said.
“To win, you need to play six games over three days, by the end you can hardly move.
“We have a strong side in a very tough draw but we hope to do it again"
The Knockout is the biggest cultural gathering in Australia and the largest rugby league Knockout in the world, more than 130 teams in several divisions will compete with over $90,000 in prize money. The chance to host next year’s tournament is also up for grabs.
There’ll be a number of NRL stars in action again too, like Brisbane’s James Roberts, South Sydney’s Cody Walker and Newcastle’s Dane Gagai.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
