WEST WYALONG KNOCKOUT
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BROTHERS co-coach Adam Vanzanten has revealed the Brethren had only completed their commitments at the West Wyalong Knockout to honour the memory of club president Joe Howard.
Vanzanten yesterday revealed he had been close to pulling the team out of the tournament following the shocking news of Mr Howard’s death in a water skiing incident on Friday.
Mr Howard was killed hours before the Brethren were scheduled to play their opening round game against West Belconnen at the knockout.
Amid the heartfelt sorrow, the Brothers players had rallied to play the game in the most trying of circumstances.
“To be honest I was two seconds away from getting back on the bus, but the players thought playing was the right thing to do,” Vanzanten said yesterday.
“They said it is what he (Mr Howard) would have wanted them to do.”
Wearing black armbands in the game, Brothers beat West Belconnen 12-6 on Friday night to qualify for the quarter-finals the following night, only to lose 12-0 to Group 20 team Bidgee Hurricanes.
Vanzanten said Friday night’s game had been “emotionally draining” for the players.
“Obviously it was very tough,” he said.
From a football perspective, Vanzanten said Brothers had shown promising signs for the upcoming Group Nine season.
“Overall I was fairly happy,” Vanzanten said.
“We just have to be better at the basics.”
For Brothers, last season’s captain-coach Blake Dunn was a standout for the team against West Belconnen, while Vanzanten also made a favourable impression.
Picture gallery and deatiled results from the West Wyalong Knockout.
Stylish halfback Luke Barry also shone and is set to continue his stellar rise this year and recruit Wirimu Hai Hai was an eye-catcher in the second row.
As Brothers stamped some authority at the West Wyalong carnival, Tumbarumba’s much-anticipated rugby league rise this year failed to get off the ground.
Billed as a team ready to shoot for the Group Nine finals, Tumbarumba fell flat when thrashed 26-6 by Cowra in a first round game at Ron Crowe Oval on Friday night.
However, Group 20 teams Bidgee Hurricanes and Tullibigeal Lakes United looked sharp and imposing at the knockout, qualifying for the semi-finals before bowing out.
TLU skipper Jayden Kelly made mincemeat of his rivals in three games, while Hurricanes captain-coach Chris Bamford caused headaches in attack and defence.
In contrast, Group 20 premier West Wyalong crashed 8-4 to Canberra powerhouse Queanbeyan Kangaroos on Friday night, but did not lose any admirers.
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