THIS weekend six Junior Stockmen teams will be vying for grand-final glory when they run out on to Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
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It’s a remarkable achievement for the junior rugby league club and it’s the first time so many teams have made it to the decider according to club secretary Troy Lacey.
“It means the mini-league is a good breeding ground for young talent,” he tells the Post.
All six teams will experience facilities normally reserved for the Canberra Raiders and the ACT Brumbies.
This includes usage of the stadium dressing rooms, and big screen video.
“It’ll be a once in a lifetime experience for the young kids,” Lacey said.
Running out for a grand-final in their maiden season will be the under-17 girl’s side.
They turn full circle against the Gungahlin Bulls, the team who defeated them in their very first game of existence earlier this year.
Young Stockman Jesse Lacey will also be taking to the field as a referee.
Under-10 Maroons vs Stockmen under-10 Blues, GIO Stadium Sat 10am
THIS team of youngsters finished minor premiers in their first year in the Canberra competition.
Coached by John Crooks, they have been a competitive force this year, only losing one game in the
regular season.
They have a mouth watering Goulburn derby tomorrow against fellow Stockies side the Under-10s
Blues.
Under-10 Blues vs Stockmen under-10 Maroons, GIO stadium Sat 10am
WILL go into tomorrow’s grand-final derby with the under-10s Maroons with quiet confidence after they beat
them 22-0 in the semi-finals.
Coach Matt Craig, however says his kids are more excited about running out onto Canberra stadium.
“They cant wait to use the same dressing rooms as the Raiders and to see themselves on the big screen,”
Craig said.
Under-11 Blues vs Valley Dragons Red, GIO Stadium Sat 2pm
THESE boys earned their grand-final berth by dismantling minor premiers Yass 24-12 in the semi-final.
Despite an injury riddled season, coach Rod Latham says his squad will only be without young gun
Jake McIntosh in tomorrow’s match. The team takes on the Valley Dragons, and when the last time
these two met it was a spiteful encounter with the Dragons winning, so the Stockies want revenge.
Under-12 Maroons vs Valley Dragons White, GIO Stadium Sat 3.15pm
WHEN Dean Edwards took on coaching this new team, nobody (including Dean) expected
them to achieve as much as they have this season.
The team with many first year players scored 338 points and only conceded 42 for the regular season. It
will be the farewell match for the team’s resident female players Isabella Greig and
Shakira Tyrrell who will be sadly missed next season. They played harder, faster with more skill and
aggression then the majority of experienced players.
Under-12 Blues vs South Tuggeranong Red, GIO Stadium Sat 5.15pm
THE under-12 Blues enter tomorrow’s grand-final looking to finish their season undefeated. After winning
last year’s title these boys have gone to another level this season, scoring 438 points and only
conceding 70 in the top zone. This game is a repeat of the major semi-final in which Goulburn raced
to a 34-0 lead before South Tuggeranong grabbed a couple of late tries to let the young Stockies know
they won’t get it all their own way in the grand-final.
Under-17 girls vs Gungahlin Bulls, GIO Stadium Sun 3.15pm
WHAT a year it’s been for these girls. In just their first year, and with much fan-fare, these girls head into
their grand-final on Sunday against the Gungahlin Bulls with all the hall-marks of a fairy tale season. After
the team lifted off with much sceptisism earlier this year, coach John Thomas has guided the team
to a maiden grand-final.
A remarkable achievement considering the majority of these girls had never even played a sport before.