By Tallon Smith

The once mighty Junee Diesels are gathering pace once again as the club prepares to enter Group 9 First Grade again in 2023 when they face the Temora Dragons away at Nixon Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Diesels, winners of two Group 9 titles in 1964 and famously in 1986 when led by a certain teenage star named Laurie Daley, were forced out of the competition’s top grade in 2021 after a crisis in player numbers saw the club unable to fill both First and Reserve Grade sides.

With the approval of other clubs within the league, the Diesels opted to field a Reserve Grade side only, a decision which paid off following the club’s 14-10 victory last season to win the Burmeister Shield with a team largely consisting of local juniors.

Diesels President David Holt said that the return of the club to First Grade impacted Junee “on a number of different levels.”

“It’s where we need to be heading, to create that First Grade squad,” he said.

Holt said that the great game of rugby league was the word on the streets once more following the publicity surrounding the club over the past few months.

“Since we did that Pie in the Sky [all-star match], that generated huge interest in the club,” he said.

“We succeeded in [getting] people becoming more involved in the club that haven’t been for 20 years.”

“If you’ve got the community support you’re a long way in front.”

Regarding the future for other clubs in a similar predicament to Junee, Holt said the plan for dropping out of First Grade or even complete recess needs to be assessed “on a case by case basis.”

“Wagga Brothers, I totally feel for the position they’re in,” he said, referencing their fellow Group 9 club’s drop to the lower grades.

The Diesels President was adamant that although the team won the Reserves title, staying in Reserve Grade was necessary for allowing the club to re-establish itself.

“The first few rounds would have killed us anyway,” he said, in reference to the club’s initial entrance into First Grade last season before two forfeits triggered a complete withdrawal.

Holt said that while initially other clubs weren’t overly happy with the club’s decision to withdraw their First Grade side, the attitude changed soon after and the Group showed great patience and encouraged the club to return sustainably.

“[From] the administrators of the other clubs, there was definite support for us,” he said.

“I’m full of appreciation for other clubs.”

Regarding player progression to fill squads, Holt said the club was well placed through its strong junior base. 

The Diesels’ 2004-born team were nearly untouchable through the junior grades, including young guns such as Blayne Linsell, Nick Hogarth and Jack McCarthy, all of whom will line up in either First or Reserve Grade this weekend. Another player from that side, Kye Wright, is playing Jersey Flegg this season.

Holt said that the more experienced players at the club will guide the young stars through the ups and downs of their first First Grade season.

“Younger players coming through [will be led by] older heads like Daniel Foley and Hayden Diggins,” he said.

In returning to Group 9 First Grade, the club, who wear blue and gold like Parramatta, will aim to break a premiership drought equal to their NRL counterparts, with the Diesels having last won the competition in 37 years ago in 1986, the same year that Michael Cronin and Ray Price saluted to Eels faithful for the last time.

However, win, lose or draw, Junee has its top grade rugby league team back in action despite all the odds, and that is an achievement bigger than any title.

Cover Photo: Many faces from the Diesels’ 2022 Reserve Grade Premiership team will turn out for the club in First Grade in 2023 (Image: Junee Diesels Facebook)