Charlie Brown and Jack Alcorn will lead the Devils in 2021 with Charlie Vice Captain and Jack Captain of the side.
The Harden Red Devils headed to Boorowa on Saturday to take part in the pre season gala day held by the Boorowa Goldies at the Showground.
It was the defending South West Premiers first hit out for 2021 and the boys didn’t disappoint with strong performances across the 25 minute game format.
Coach Jack O’Connor said, “It was a cracking day, the weather was perfect and we couldn’t get better conditions. We aimed for that gala day to be our main trial.”
The 2021 season will return to 2 full rounds with every team playing each other twice and the expectation of a bye or two.
O’Connor said, “We were conscious with not loading ourselves up with too many trials. We took 15 or 16 blokes which was always going to test the fitness.”
The Devils played played Wagga City first and secured a draw before taking on the Orange Emus where they had a win. The final match was a Grand Final style rematch against the Young Yabbies who had the assistance of some players from other sides. This didn’t stop Harden from winning the match.
The inclusion of Charlie and Ollie Fairfield-Smith who have been in the Brumbies development and Brumbies Runners systems added great experience with Ollie looking very sharp for the season and pumped to be back for 2021.
Coach Jack was very impressed with a number of Harden players including Jack Alcorn who has proven to be one of Harden’s best over the last couple of years. Eric Douglass used his big body well as did Toby Haydon. Gary Rodgers showed his experience, ripping in to the opposition sides. Pierce Martin is being dubbed ‘Joe Roff’ at training and looked good alongside Sam McKillop who was very good under the highball and Jeremy Martin who stamped his authority in the tight stuff.
Fergus and Harrison Back were really strong in defence while Best and Fairest for the day and a likely starter at 9 for the season opener was Judd Kerrison.
The Devils are training once a week but this week trained on Tuesday due to last nights touch grand final. If you are interested in playing reach out on the Devils Facebook page. Training is at 6:30pm.
The first round will be April 17 and a season launch will be held on a date to be confirmed beforehand. Harden has announced that Jack Alcorn will be the Devil’s Captain in 2021 and the Vice Captain will be Charlie Brown.
Both players were leaders in last year’s Grand Final and stepping up to the new roles doesn’t look like a problem for the Second Rower and Back Rower. They were born 6 days apart and have been hitting the field playing Rugby League and Union since U6s.
When Harden Junior Rugby folded they spent time at Coota and Young before both going to Boarding School.
Charlie went to Kings and played Union where as Jack played both codes at St Greg’s on a Thursday and then on the weekend. Both men are working on the family farms which takes up a lot of their time. Charlie said, “It’s great to be recognised by my team mates.” Jack said, “We used to always watch the Devils when we were younger, we have had our time away but we are back now.”
Charlie played at Easts in Sydney while Jack spent time at Royals in Canberra and played League in Canada. Both Charlie and Jack have overcome some injuries which may have stopped others from continuing, however, they are ready to lead Harden this season.
Charlie said, “It’s always great to look forward to training and footy on Saturdays.”
Harden will be well served by both Charlie and Jack who already understand what it takes to win grand finals and show leadership on the field.
