The Harden Hawks will be taking on their old foes the Binalong Brahmans this Saturday at McLean Oval. The U18s will take the field against the North Canberra Bears at 1pm. Ladies League Tag will see the Hawkettes V the Jersey Girls at 2:20pm before the Hawks take on the Brahmans at 3:20pm. It is going to be a Rugby League feast for Footy fans.
The Rivalry is Back!
McLean Oval is looking as good as Canberra Stadium after Hilltops Council staff resowed the playing surface approximately 8 weeks ago. Staff have been busy working on dressing sheds, painting, and undertaking much needed maintenance on the famous old ground.
Harden’s Brent ‘Dicky’ Turner on the charge for the Hawks in 2014. Turner battled through knee and shoulder injuries during the 2014 season. He is in ‘semi retirement’ now from Rugby League.
Foreground. Shaun Davis, James Blair and Scott Naughton for Binalong.
The George Tooke Shield’s biggest grudge match will be back at McLean Oval this Saturday as The Harden Hawks take on the Binalong Brahmans in round one of the competition. The two sides haven’t played each other since Binalong won the 2014 Premiership, smashing the Hawks 34-4 in the process. The Binalong side then had two seasons in the Woodbridge Cup before returning to ‘Tooke’ for 2017. The 2015 season saw the Brahmans claim the Woodbridge Premiership only suffering one defeat in the process. 2016 was a forgettable year for Binalong with the re-emergence of the Yass Magpies, with many of their players returning to the Canberra competition which meant a new roster of players. 2016 saw Captain Coach and Club President Ben Spencer suffer a horrific leg injury early in the season which hampered the club further. Spencer, however, bravely continued to steer the club through a rebuilding phase where they claimed 2 wins and a draw.
The 2017 season has seen some experience added to the Brahman roster with the addition of Jason (Captain Coach) and Shaun (Assistant Coach) Brown and Damien and Tim Norman amongst several others. For Harden, 2016 Five Eight Matt McLay has taken the reins and also recruited very well. His ambition is to win the premiership in 2017 and it looks like nothing will stand in his way. He has been firm but fair with his squad and has set the side’s goals very high. Binalong President Ben Spencer said “We have had our two trials and Jason has picked a good side.” The Brahmans won both of their trials against Gunning and the UC Grizzlies. “There are a couple of younger fellas who are really starting to shine who stepped up from youth league in 2016. Dylan Arabin and Dylan Downey are just two of them.” Spencer said that it has been just over 12 months since the break and it was a big set back at the time. “The Club came together and really helped out during that time, it was a rough year but a lot of the boys said it was their most enjoyable year of football. The roster hasn’t changed a hell of a lot but we have a few quality players come in where we needed them.” Spencer said “It’s a good combination across the paddock with younger players stepping up mixing the youth with the experience.”
The Brahmans will take on Harden at Harden and will welcome the Hawks to the Binalong Rec Ground in the final match of the season.
The Jersey Girls are also shaping up for a great season and have good numbers at training. Spencer said there are some new faces and the squad is working hard on bringing the new girls up to speed. “They are coming together and they are having fun.” The Jersey girls have unluckily lost all 3 of their trial matches but played in a tight contest when they went down 6-4.
Binalong’s Ali Spencer will lead the young Jersey Girls side around this season.
Coach Jason Brown is aware of the local rivalry but isn’t going to let that worry his side, they will take to the McLean Oval surface and play football. He said “We put the hard work in starting just after Christmas and we are pretty happy with the trials. We are under no illusions it will be a hard game but we are ready to go.” Brown will play alongside his brothers Shaun, Tim and Damien and the quartet have no doubt added some class. However, the younger players at the club have certainly impressed Brown “Some of the local boys have far exceeded my expectations, blokes like Beauy, Dylan and Downey have been outstanding. They have impressed me out of sight. Everyone has been looking at the draw to see when we were playing Harden and those are the cards we have been dealt. They love their footy in Binalong I haven’t seen anything
like it, the support is great.”
Brahman Captain Coach Jason Brown on the charge against Gunning in a trial match this year.
Harden Coach Matt McLay is looking to unleash some explosiveness from within his squad. “We have been doing a lot of work on our defence and have been putting the hard yards in at training. There has been a really positive attitude at training and focussing on our discipline. Once we start to play footy each week we will see improvement.”
Harden Captain Coach Matt McLay going over for a try at McLean Oval in 2016.
McLay said there are still 4 players to be included in the side in the coming weeks and selection comes down to attitude and commitment. He said “We need to play our style of football and complete our sets, that comes down to discipline.” Players to watch for the Hawks include Centres Jonathan Pouono and Sammy Welch along with the forward pack including Jamie Cooper and Luke Brown who have been leading the way for the rest of the side.” The bench is also quality with the side losing nothing when the bench comes on.
Long term Harden player Daniel Drew will reignite his rivalry with the Brahmans on Saturday. The number 9 is seen here being tackled by James Blair in 2014.
McLay said he would like everyone to attend presentations at the Carrington Hotel for the 3,2,1 awards. Including players and supporters. The Mal Meninga dinner will be held next Saturday with players and supporters urged to get in quick and secure tickets. Tickets will be sold at McLean Oval on Saturday. Youth League kick of at 1pm. League Tag 2:20pm and 3:20 pm for first grade. Rugby League is back in the twin towns!
Harden Hawks 1. Adam Byrnes 2. Josh Quinn 3. Sammy Welch 4. Jonathon Pouono 5. Harry Treloar 6. Matt McLay 7. Nathan Schofield 8. Jamie Cooper 9. Daniel Drew 10. Nick McArthur 11. Junior Lafaele 12. Luke Brown 13. Luke Sneddon 14. Eddie Jenkins 15. Hamish Bradford 16. Chris Fredericks 17. Dylan Rech 18. Daniel Pumpa 19. Siope Naeta 20. Junior Pouono 21. Nathan Close. Subject To Change.
Binalong Brahmans 1. Dylan Arabin 2. Kobi Bradshaw 3. Jarrod Whatman 4. Beau O’Mara 5. Luke Cotter 6. Damien Norman 7. Tim Norman 8. Danny Arabin 9. Shawn Brown 10. Mick Spencer 11. Dylan Downey 12. Drew Arabin 13. Jason Brown 14. Ian Lanham 15. Jake Hill 16. Lance Adams 17. Hayden Bee 18. Ben Potts 19. Brad Earley 20. Llyold Lucas 21. Jake Fisher 22. Jack Ponton. Subject To Change.
