South Coast Group 7 Rugby League selectors have been forced to rearrange their side through injuries and unavailability’s, but are still very happy with their squad.
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Coach Peter Hooper said he was delighted with his squad and that the new players in the side had shown enough either over the past year or in the opening rounds of the 2015 season, to show they will make a positive contribution to the squad.
“It’s basically a side picked on form and I am sure the side will be more than competitive when we take on the winner of the Group 6 v Group 16 game on May 9,” Hooper said.
“Our hands were tied a certain extent, with a larger-than-normal number of last year's team either playing elsewhere, not playing at all, or are injured, but that being said, I couldn’t be happier with the team.”
Only Gerringong’s Joel Roberts and Corey Mulhall, Jamberoo half Jono Dallas, Shellharbour’s Michael Cronin Medal winner Harold Snell and Warilla’s Damien Paulissen and Aaron Henry remain from last season’s side, while Gerringong’s Nathan Ford was a late withdrawal last year and returns to this year’s team.
Of the 10 changes from the 2014 squad, players like Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs winger Mitchell Simington, Nowra-Bomaderry playmaker Steve Brandon and Warilla-Lake South Gorillas Mark Walsh have been rewarded for their consistent performances over the past year.
Most interesting selection is rookie Shellharbour City outside back Kurt Field has won a spot on the wing, while Port Kembla’s Jack Garrett has been recognised for some great football with the Blacks in 2014 with selection on the bench.
Selectors have been quick to select several players who have just joined Group 7 clubs, with Kiama Knights pair Josh Toohey and Luke Sutton, Milton’s Lepani Waqa and Warilla’s Josh Kent also included, while Shellharbour centre Nathan Cooper, who has had a great start to the season, also earned a spot in the centres.
Shellharbour props Josh Cordoba and Craig Stapleton were unavailable for selection due to family commitments.
The full team is: fullback Joel Roberts (Gerringong), wingers Mitch Simington (Milton-Ulladulla) and Kurt Fields (Shellharbour City), centres Josh Toohey (Kiama) and Nathan Cooper (Shellharbour City), five-eighth Steve Brandon (Nowra-Bomaderry), halfback Jono Dallas (Jamberoo), lock Mark Walsh (Warilla-Lake South), second-rowers Aaron Henry (Warilla-Lake South) and Lepani Waqa (Milton-Ulladulla), props Damien Paulissen (Warilla-Lake South) and Harold Snell (Shellharbour), hooker Nathan Ford (Gerringong). Reserves Josh Kent (Warilla-Lake South), Corey Mulhall (Gerringong), Luke Sutton (Kiama) and Jack Garrett (Port Kembla).
