Tallon Smith
An all-day rugby league extravaganza is set to hit Yenda’s Wade Park on June 21 as Group 20 prepares to host its inaugural Magic Round.
The concept, based upon the NRL version, will see Black and Whites face Waratahs, Yanco-Wamoon take on TLU Sharks, DPC Roosters square off with Hay, and Yenda tackle Leeton in four back-to-back matches.
Last-start winners West Wyalong will be the unlucky side with the bye.
Group 20 Rugby League President Adam Brill said that the idea has been in the works for a while, after the group saw the success of similar events in other competitions.
“The idea was floated by one of the board members a little while ago,” he said.
“It was [created] with the aim of getting some hype and more exposure to the game.
“In other areas they are starting to do it and it seemed like a good idea to give it a go.”
In announcing the event, Group 20 has become the fifth competition to officially schedule a ‘Magic Round’, after Group 4, Group 7, and the Illawarra and Newcastle competitions all held similar festivals of footy in recent years.
However, unlike many of the other competitions that have held similar events, Brill said Group 20 is looking to involve all grades in the matchday.
“At this stage we are having 18’s, League Tag, Reserves, Firsts and a game of Women’s Tackle,” he said.
“We have invited Proten Narrandera to join the day as well.”
“All in all it’s going to be a big day but an awesome day for footy in the area.”
Brill said the concept is another of many innovations the group committee is looking to introduce to raise the profile of the game in the region, following on from the success of the Friday Night Football concept in the Under 16 competition.
“The group is looking for ways to raise revenue to put back into the game [and] ease some of the burden on clubs as well,” he said.
The adoption of the Magic Round idea by Group 20 comes after Group 7 hosted a highly successful Magic Round last weekend.
Over 3000 people attended the event at Bomaderry’s Artie Smith Oval, where Leeton junior Braxton Wallace dominated to steer the Shellharbour Sharks to victory over the home side in the feature match.
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