Almost 300 tried out, 260 were culled and then there were Jake Walker, Casey Wall and Connor Brebner.
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This trio were among the 40 lucky and talented junior rugby league players selected for Under 16s and Under 18s “train-on” squads with the Canberra Raiders.
They were chosen from approximately 150 players from country NSW and another 100-150 Canberra representatives during trials two months ago in the ACT.
From here, a series of trial matches over the next month and a half will determine their fate with the club when the final squads of 22 players are appointed.
The boys started training on November 6, travelling to Canberra three times a week.
But it’s something one father, Jarrod Brebner, said the young players are certainly ready for.
“They’ve been training them for the last eight weeks,” he said, “they’re doing their own individual training and they’ve shown a lot of commitment so they’re as fit as they can be.
“They’ve all had the right attitude to give themselves the best chance to make the side.”
Hennessy Catholic College student Casey Wall and Young High School student Jake Walker, both 15, have been selected for the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews Train-on squad (Under 16s), while 16-year-old Connor Brebner will compete in the SG Ball squad (U18s).
It’s not the first time Brebner has been chosen for a Canberra Raider junior side, having debuted in the Harold Matthews team last season.
What followed from these rep duties for the Hennessy student was selection in a high performance unit with the Raiders, which involved players from the Under 16s, 18s and 20s training all year once a week.
Brebner spent his junior years since he was under seven with the Grenfell Goannas Junior Rugby League, just recently moving to Young.
He also played with the Cowra Magpies for one season last year in their Under 18s side.
“I’m a year younger than the boys in my team, so I was surprised to make it.” Brebner said.
Walker is also amazed at his selection.
“I’ve never made the local Group 9 side, so to make it into this team is a great achievement.” he said.
And as for Wall, he is pretty excited about the whole thing.
“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being trained by professionals.”
The final 22 players in both the Under 16s and 18s sides, once decided in December, will play other NRL junior squads over nine weeks.
