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That’s the message from Indigenous All Stars coach Will Ingram after his Group 10 All Stars counterpart Mick Sullivan declared his ginormous outfit would thunder its way to victory on Saturday.
Ingram led the Indigenous side to a 52-24 victory over the Group 10 team in the inaugural fixture at Cowra last year and is confident pride will ensure his team will once again lift the trophy, despite Sullivan naming a throng of props in his squad for the annual clash.
“It’s certainly a special game for my team. We’re out there for our family, our culture and to showcase our sporting ability,” Ingram said.
“We’re determined to do our towns proud, our team proud and everyone in the community proud.
“We had a really good training run on Wednesday. The boys are enthusiastic and keen to get out there.”
Ensuring Ingram’s confidence remains sky high is the inclusion of last year’s Dave Scott Medallist, Hamish Bryant.
The Mudgee gun was a clear stand-out in the Dragons’ stunning 14-10 grand final win over CYMS at Wade Park last year, leading Ingram to reveal the bullocking prop was one of his first players picked.
“I couldn’t not pick him, no based on what he did during the season last year,” the Blayney-based captain-coach enthused.
“He was great last year and when I saw him nominated to play I had to throw him in there straight away.”
New Bathurst Panthers recruit Simon Osborne is also in Ingram’s side to play on Saturday, along with his new teammates Blake Lawson, Claude Gordon, Joey Bugg and Ben Gunn.
Last year’s Group 10 player of the season, Panthers’ Jeremy Gordon, is expected to be one of the main players to watch in the Indigenous lineup, wearing the number one.
The Bathurst representation continues with St Pat’s half Shannon Peters being named as the starting Indigenous side hooker.
There has been a raft of changes to Sullivan’s Group 10 side, the two biggest the inclusion of new Hawks centre Sione Tongia and Mudgee premiership-winning rake Ben Thompson.
A bumper crowd is expected for the match, set to kick-off at 4pm at Blayney’s King George Oval on Saturday.