RIVERINA Football League (RFL) coach Troy Maiden last night unveiled the team he believes can defeat Black Diamond League in Sydney on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Some of RFL’s big names and exciting talent could not make their way into the team as Maiden and his fellow selectors named one of the most potent representative teams in years.
Griffith coach Guy Orton was named captain of the RFL team and will be flanked by experienced footballers Daniel Rankin, Matt Noonan, Jim Rice, Jamie Maddox and Mick Duncan in the team.
The forward line is packed with dangerous talent,
spearheaded by in-form forwards Marc Geppert, Andrew Johnston and Max King with Mick Duncan, Matt Rava and Will Overs.
Maiden could hardly be happier with the team he will take away to Sydney.
“It’s a side with a fair bit of flexibility we think,” Maiden said.
“That is one of the strengths as well, as we think we’ve got pretty good runners across the field, along with a fair bit of leadership out on the ground as well.”
Brad Aiken withdrew his availability this week but
will still travel to Sydney with the team as an assistant coach.
Bryce O’Garey, Geoff Spriggs and Harry Collins also made themselves unavailable for the trip.
Maiden said he is more than confident with the team that will go away.
“We think we’ve definitely come up with a side that will do really well,” Maiden said.
“We’ll go in confident.
“The guys that were there last year have helped generate a lot of enthusiasm with the new guys that have come in this year.”
Che Jenkins, Jacob Olsson and Curtis Steele sat out of last night’s final training session at Ganmain Sportsground but have all been given the green light to play.
There was some concern with Olsson’s availability due to work commitments but he will join the team in Sydney at a later time on Friday.
RFL representative team
B: John Simpson, Matt Noonan, Jack Egan
HB: Che Jenkins, John Anstee, Ben Absolum
C: Curtis Steele, Daniel Rankin, Tim Sullivan
HF: Matt Rava, Will Overs, Max King
F: Mick Duncan, Marc Geppert, Andrew Johnston
Foll: Jacob Olsson, Guy Orton (c), Jack Killalea
Inter: Jamie Maddox, Guy Ward, Jim Rice, Jethro Calma-Holt
Coach: Troy Maiden
Assistant coaches: Pat Edmunds, Shane Whelan, Brad Aiken
