There is strong Group Nine representation in the Canberra Raiders junior representative teams.
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In particular the Harold Matthews team (under 16s) is filled with the region’s talent.
Nine of the 25-strong squad are from Group Nine and Raiders head of recruitment and high performance Peter Mulholland is impressed.
“I think it is a credit to the academy systems in place now,” Mulholland said.
“It shows the country academies are starting to work. Whether it is a freak group of kids I don’t know, but it is certainly a good group of boys.”
Brothers juniors Wilson Hamblin, Bryce Magnone and Liam Fitzsimmons have been selected alongside Tumut pair Paul Grove and Drew Beavan plus Aiden Connell (Albury), Clay Webb (Gundagai) and Harry Fitzpatrick (Young).
There are also five players in the SG Ball team (under 18s).
Three are from Southcity, Jordan Little, Maleke Morris and Brodie Tracey, plus Tumut’s Jacob Sturt and Kangaroos’ Matt Fellows.
With the competitions only running for nine weeks, players won’t be required to move to Canberra.
Tim Wykes is an assistant coach and will take run a training session in Wagga on Mondays before they travel by bus to Canberra on Wednesdays and Fridays to train and play.
Mulholland believes it is important for their development to remain at home.
