Tallon Smith
The trial match between the Griffith Waratah Tigers and Albury Thunder at the Griffith Exies Oval on Saturday will have more on the line than a usual pre-season match, with the match set to double as the inaugural edition of the Battlers For Bush Footy Trophy.
Put up for contest by Battlers For Bush Footy Founder Tallon Smith for matches between his two junior clubs, the trophy will be awarded to the first grade winners on the day, with the hope that it will become an annual event between the sides.
Griffith Waratah Tigers coach Willie Lolohea said that his squad are looking forward to the challenge of facing the Thunder at home after their last start win over Hay.
“All the boys are very excited,” he said.
“We’ve actually got a very different team to the team we played over in Hay.
“Over in Hay was actually an incredible effort from the lads, we were down to one bench coming into the second half, so those boys really battled it out, especially being down.
“[It was] true showing of character, the Tahs spirit, just to hang in there and just believe that the win could come, and they ended up getting it, which was great.”
One thing in particular Lolohea said that he was looking forward to was implementing the side’s new structures and game plans under new co-coach Brett Goldspink.
“This week, I’m actually really looking forward to implementing a lot of Brett’s strategies into our game,” he said.
“We played a very simple game, just forward straight through the middle and then the backs played off the back of that.
“But this year we’ve really upped our game with our sets and whatnot with Brett.
“He’s come over, has a lot of experience from Super League [and] obviously the NRL.
“So yeah, there’s a lot of things there that we’ve improved on, and [we’re] just looking forward to seeing how it all works out when the game starts.”
Albury Thunder team: 1 Lachlan Munro, 2 Lachlan Hampton, 3 Brodie Ford, 4 Vili Cerei, 5 Ty Tinderdale, 6 Paul Kariatiana, 7 Osika Kaufononga, 8 Junior (Tupou) Fifita, 9 Blake Grounds, 10 Fatafehi Fakatava, 11 Feleti Mahoni, 12 Clayton Coulay, 13 Joshua Sharp. Interchange: Keiran Ford, Fidow Vaa, Nathan Darby, Bailey Muras.
With the added incentive of the Battlers Trophy on the line, Lolohea said that the Waratahs have their sights set on a victory and securing the silverware.
“It will definitely add another element to it because we’re just so appreciative of [Battlers for] promoting the country game,” he said.
“Obviously, there’s a few things that we love to see more in country footy and a lot of the messages, and a lot of the posts as well as the articles [Battlers] write really does promote the game, and this will be a great acknowledgement.
“Albury are a great team and have been dominant throughout the Group 9 competition, I know Etu will have the boys ready to go come Saturday, we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ll be playing extra hard to win this.”
Meanwhile, after a hitout against Leeton last week in the Ravu-Wishart Shield, Albury Thunder Coach Etu Uaisele said that playing trials against Group 20 opposition provides both good variety and competition for the side in the pre-season.
“Yeah, I think it’s a good idea,” he said.
“We don’t play these teams through the year, so just to see what the levels are between Group Nine and Group 20 [is good].
“This is the second year we’ve actually played a trial against a Griffith side and they’re getting better and better, which is good.”
As for what he expects on the day, Uaisele said he is more focused on his team executing their roles in a match setting before the season begins.
“I’m not sure what Waratahs are like but like I said, it’s not about them, it’s more about my players, how they perform on the day and what they’re told to do,” he said.
“I’m just focusing on my boys to do their job, as long as they do their job then I’ll be happy. So it’s surely a good game.”
Meanwhile, Battlers For Bush Footy Founder and writer of this article Tallon Smith said it was an honour and a privilege to see the concept come to life between his two junior clubs.
“The Battlers For Bush Footy Trophy is a concept which I have long thought about implementing, and I’m glad it has finally eventuated as a recognition of the time I spent in my youth at the Waratahs and Albury clubs,” he said.
“The event is designed to thank the two clubs where I spent my junior footy years, and to create a bond between the Thunder and the Waratahs.
“I can’t wait to see how the event progresses and who walks away with the inaugural trophy.”
With Smith unable to present the trophy himself on the day, he has selected Griffith Waratah Tigers stalwart Rob Donovan, the man who first signed him up for junior footy back in 2012, to present the trophy.
The day will kick off with a League Tag game at 1pm, followed by Reserves at 2pm, with the main game set to start at 3pm.
Battlers For Bush Footy 