Tallon Smith

Group 9 Rugby League has unveiled its first Gladiators team in three years ahead of next month’s Kelly Cup clash with Group 20 at Yenda’s Wade Park.

The 18-man squad, released via the Group’s social media channels late last night, features players from seven of the region’s 10 clubs, selected for the grudge match with the Razorbacks on February 14.

The off-season’s big movers South City supply the most players to the side, with fullback Cody Hodge, winger Mat Lyons, lock Mitchell Bennett and interchange players Kyle McCarthy and Brody Tracey all playing their club football at the Bulls.

Defending premiers Gundagai also have four players selected in the squad, including powerhouse backline duo Gabriel Gul and James Morgan, as well as halfback Derek Hay.

Wagga Kangaroos and Cootamundra also featured heavily in selections, with three players each, while Albury, Wagga Brothers and Temora will each supply one player to the squad.

Junee, Tumut and Young are the three clubs without a player in the line-up.

The squad was also affected by several key withdrawals, with Albury Thunder fullback and Country representative Lachy Munro and South City star Nathan Rose ruled out due to injury.

Group 9 has not lost a Kelly Cup clash since 2012, and recorded a 52-6 victory in the last clash in Griffith in 2022.

Full Group 9 team: 1. Cody Hodge (South City), 2. Mathew Lyons (South City), 3. Dakota Ruta (Kangaroos), 4. Gabriel Gul (Gundagai), 5. James Morgan (Gundagai), 6. Paul Karaitiana (Albury), 7. Derek Hay (Gundagai), 8. Hayden Philp (Temora), 9. Wilson Hamblin (Gundagai), 10. Nikola Sovatabua (Cootamundra), 11. Shane Hannam (Kangaroos), 12. Cleve McGhie (Brothers), 13. Mitchell Bennett (South City), 14. Kyle McCarthy (South City), 15. Faafetai Vaavale (Cootamundra), 15. Simione Naiduke (Kangaroos), 17. Brody Tracey (South City), 18. Joe Ward (Cootamundra), Coach: Blake Dunn (Brothers).