Season 2015 is under way for the Grenfell Goannas with First Grade and Youth League (under 18s) training since the start of January and League Tag hitting the training paddock in the last couple of weeks. Training is at Lawson Park on Tuesday and Friday evenings starting at 6.30pm and any new players are most welcome as we are still looking for numbers in all 3 Grades.
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In First Grade we have been fortunate to snare the experienced Phil Ingram as Captain/Coach. Phil has come to us as a First Grade utility back from the Cowra club and his career has included some lower grade appearances in the NRL. Dan Barclay is back at the helm of the Youth League and Kellie Frost and her assistant Rodney Cotter will look after the League Tag ladies.
There is great anticipation about the Woodbridge Cup this year as there are new teams in all three grades. Binalong come into the competition with high credentials after two undefeated seasons in the George Tooke Shield bringing the number of First Grade teams to ten. Binalong, Cargo and Condobolin have signalled their intentions to enter teams into the Youth League competition whereas the League Tag competition could be bolstered by teams from Binalong, Burrangong and Trundle.
There should be some stiff competition in First Grade this year with the addition of the strong Binalong outfit and with teams like Grenfell and Canowindra who have strengthened their playing rosters .Also many of the teams are into pre season training earlier than usual, notably the Burrangong Bears who are training 3 nights a week.
The Goannas have lost a few players but they have picked up Phil Ingram and his brother Sam as well as keeping last seasons player of the year Steve Ingram and strong centre Mena Aditagane. We have also added a number of local players including Jeremy D’ombrain, Mick D’ombrain and Phil Rolls and a number of our younger players who have tasted First Grade in previous seasons are now a year older. These players include Mick Millar, Dan Harveyson, Ben Abbott and Bobby Ryan.
It appears that the League Tag Competition will be expanded with the addition of new teams and this is in line with the great success of this game as it continues to grow in regional areas. The Girlannas showed huge improvement during season 2014 and they look to be in good shape for 2015 as their many inexperienced players now have an extra year under their belts. We will also have a couple of recruits from Cowra and the majority of last seasons squad will be on deck so coach Kellie Frost will be hoping for a successful year.
The Youth League competition also looks to be expanding with the addition of new teams. Grenfell will have a few changes to their squad with some older players moving on but they will have a number of players coming up from the juniors. Players who turn 19 after 30/6/15 are eligible for Youth League and it has become a good passage for players to progress to First Grade. The team will again be under the guidance of coach Dan Barclay and any interested players can contact him on 0424640764.
MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN
The Goannas Poker Run is on again this year on Saturday 7th March after its inaugural run last year. The boys from October Rage will be returning to Grenfell to headline the musical entertainment that will also include Leather Grace, Luke Harveyson, Holly Shaw and Mel Moore. More details concerning this event will be in future editions of The Grenfell Record.
INVITATION GAME AND GALA DAY
In a great way to start the season the Goannas will be hosting a Gala day of Rugby League at Lawson Oval on Saturday 21st March. At this stage there will be 5 games against the Young Cherrypickers including League Tag, Youth League, Old Boys (Dinosaurs V Cherryatrics) and Grenfell Goannas V Young Reserve Grade. The main fixture will see a Grenfell Invitational team take on the Young First Grade side in a full 80 minute trial. Details of the makeup of the invitational team will be released shortly.
FIRST TRY SCORER CALCUTTA
Our season launch and First Try Scorer Calcutta will be held in conjunction with the Gala Day on Saturday 21st March. The auctioning of the Jumpers will take place at the Grenfell Bowling Club at approx 8.30pm.
SEASON START
Although the draw is yet to be completed the likely start date of the competition proper is the weekend after Easter. That is the weekend of the 11th/12th April.