Nathan Blacklock in Group 19 team to take on Northern Rivers

May 30, 2008

It’s a big weekend in local rugby league, with representative football coming to the area.

Ballina will host the Centenary Trophy NSW Country Rugby League match between Northern Rivers and Group 19 on Saturday at Kingsford Smith Park from 1pm.

The local stars will be up against former NRL players, including Nathan Blacklock, Anthony Kaberry and Jason Ferris.

Blacklock, now 32, was the flying winger who played with St George before switching to rugby union and playing with the NSW Waratahs.

He also had a stint with Hull league club in England.

The former prolific NRL try-scorer now is back in his home town of Tingha, where he made his debut with the Tingha Tigers.

Mullumbimby Giants lock Andrew Maroney will lead the Northern Rivers team.

Maroney had five seasons with Tweed Seagulls in the Queensland Cup and has been a form player for the Giants this season.

The ageless Willie Hammond, who is playing with Lower Clarence Magpies in the Retravision Northern League this season, will return to his former home ground and it will be his job as halfback to steer Northern Rivers around the field.

The Northern Rivers squad is:

Fullback, Shannon Murphy; wingers, Glen Slockee, Chad Grant; centres, Clarence Kelly, Ben McLennan; five-eighth, Ben Crawford; halfback, Willie Hammond; props, Buddy King, Simon Andrews; hooker, Ben White; second-rowers, Ben Hill, Matt Slattery; lock, Andrew Maroney (captain). Interchange: Ryan Binge, Ryan O’Connell, Dean Ihalainen, Michael Lambert. Coach: Jamie O’Connor.

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