Group 16 rugby league stars will vie for Monaro representative selection on Saturday.
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A lion’s share of the players who dominated the All Stars v Indigenous fixture will take the field on the weekend against rivals from Group 8 in Canberra.
“From last weekend they’re trying to start that mentality,” coach Ryan Apps said. “Because when we play Canberra they’re up for selection.”
Group 16’s best and brightest will put their case forward for a spot in the greater Monaro under 23s outfit.
Both fullback Kyle Shepherdson and half Blake Schafer claimed hat-tricks against the Indigenous side last weekend, but there is also the barnstormers like Luc Ingram from Bombala and rising young quicks like Zac Cuzner and Joel Grewar.
Canberra will either need to boast a big enough forward line to run over the big men in the middle or pack some serious pace at the edges to get around a scintillating Group 16 contingent.
Apps said the Indigenous round and this weekend’s fixture would provide a fantastic stepping stone into the season and bring rugby league firmly into focus.
The representative league-tag contingent will also be selected after the weekend with Group 16 players to be involved in a round robin.
The ladies will play against the Canberra Group 8 women, but there will also be another team from the ACT region comprised of players out of the George Tooke Shield draw.
A number of players showcased women’s tackle during the All Stars round, but it will be back to business as usual and showcasing speed and step against the Canberra outfits in league tag.
This year the Group 16 league-tag side will be significantly improved, Wilton said, with the availability and inclusion of a number of the Bombala High Heelers and Cooma Fillies ladies.
Meanwhile, both Garry Arkin and Dave Armstrong said they were excited as the Bega Roosters would get a hitout on Saturday.
The tri-colours will contest exhibition matches with the Gungahlin Bulls in both under 18s and reserve grade.
An under 18s Bega Roosters outfit will open proceedings with an exhibition match against the Gungahlin Bulls.
The 18s had a preliminary run during the new 9s contest as part of last week’s match, but the Roosters will be ready for a true test as historically Canberra have proven to be tough opponents on the field.
Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton encourages everyone to head along as it will be a showcase of the very best talent in the region.
“This weekend will be exceptional football,” Wilton said. “It’s a showcase of players looking for representative selection and they’ll be at their very best.”
Matches start at 11.30am with the Bega Chicks league-tag to meet Gungahlin.
At 1.40 the under 18 Roosters meet the Bulls, before more league-tag clashes then the Roosters meet the Bulls in an open men’s match at 3.55pm.
The headline under 23s trial runs from 6pm.
Group 16 under 23s
1. Kyle SHEPHERDSON. Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs
2. Joel GREWAR. Bombala Blue Heelers.
3. Zac CUZNER. Bega Roosters
4. Scott GALEANO. Bega Roosters
5. Ryan NORRIS. Narooma Devils
6. Tyler JONES. Bombala Blue Heelers
7. Blake SCHAFER. Capt. Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs
8. Sean CORNELL. Batemans Bay Tigers.
9. Jacob HILL. Moruya Sharks
10. Luc INGRAM. Bombala Blue Heelers
11. Luke DOWDLE. Bega Roosters
12. Andrew AYERS. Narooma Devils
13. Richard BENSLEY. Cooma Stallions
14. Greg McEWAN. Batemans Bay Tigers
15. Zach INGRAM. Moruya Sharks
16. Corey ARNOLD. Moruya Sharks
17. Blaine THOMAS. Cooma Stallions
Coach; Ryan Apps. Bega
Assistant Coach; Toddy Ayers. Narooma.
Canberra Under 23s –
1, Ryan McQueen. West Belconnen
2. Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai. West Belconnen
3. Ryley Thomas. West Belconnen
4. Cleve McGhie. Woden Valley Rams.
5. Micheal Geiger. Woden Valley Rams
6. Nick Cornish. Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
7. Derek Hay. Queanbeyan Roos
8. Kye Madden. Gungahlin Bulls
9. Adam Lucas. Woden Valley Rams
10. Conner Brebner. Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
11. Nuk Ngere. Queanbeyan Roos
12. Nela Moa. West Belconnen
13. Tyson Greenwood. Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
14. Zac Patch. Queanbeyan Blues.
15. Ron Leapai. Woden Valley Rams
16. Luke Skidmore. Gungahlin Bulls
17. Jacob Magrath. Yass Magpies
18. Kaine Pagura. Queanbeyan Roos
19. Noa Vanisi. Tuggeranong Bushrangers
20. Harry Whatman. West Belconnen
21. Kyle Danizlack. Yass Magpies
22. Chris Hart Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
Coach Ashley Barnes
Manager Joe Stevens
Group 16 league-tag women’s
1: Amy Stone Bombala
2: Janija Parsons Narooma
3: Monique Perkins Bombala
4: Sheree Meyn Batemans Bay
5: Jessica Povey Cooma
6: Abbey Kimber Bombala
7: Hayley Kemp Cooma
8: Georgie Clarke Bombala
9: Ali Ringland Bega
10: Madeline Czubara Batemans Bay
11: Wyrlka Colburn Narooma
12: Kira Campbell Narooma
13: Jacinta Dummett Bega
14: Georgia Lavarack Batemans Bay
15: Madeline Czubara Batemans Bay
16: Jaydean Lonsdale Patten Narooma