Cover Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography
Tallon Smith
Fresh off its triumph over Group 20 in the Kelly Cup, Group 9 has again dominated Riverina Open Men’s selections for the region’s upcoming Country Championships clash with Monaro in Junee on March 1.
All but two of the players in the 23-man squad have been selected from Group 9, with Yanco’s Ulai Oti-Lahood and DPC’s Guy Thompson the only Group 20 players picked.
Three players who did not feature in the Gladiators’ triumph have been included in the Bulls team, in Kangaroos pair Shane Hannam and Gus Clark, along with Gundagai playmaker Will Herring.
Riverina coach Blake Dunn said that he is confident in the team he has selected for the upcoming clash, with many of the players enjoying the experience of playing alongside each other in the Kelly Cup.
“I think I’m happy with the squad that we’ve obviously come up with, I feel like it’s a squad that can deliver on the type of footy we need to be successful,” he said.
“I think overall, it’s strong, what I’ve found through my time with Group 9 as well is they’re a really good bunch of blokes and they enjoy their time together.
“We’ll be looking to build upon that with the addition of a couple of Group 20 boys who I know will be great additions as well.”
One talking point in recent years has been the number of players selected from each of the two Riverina groups for the region’s rep side, with Group 9 dominating in recent years.
As a selection trial, the Kelly Cup was thought to offer an opportunity for Group 20 players to press their case for selection.
However, despite this, the number of players selected from Group 20 has dropped from four last year to two in 2026.
Despite this, Dunn said that while he picked the best team available for next weekend’s match, he believes there will be many more Group 20 players pushing for Riverina honours in the years to come.
“We picked what we thought was the best team,” he said.
“I had a conversation with Benny Jeffery as well, just around what we thought would be the best approach to be successful at the next level.
“I think the style of games, from what I’ve seen, I must admit I haven’t watched a heap of Group 20, but from what I’ve seen there’s a little bit of a difference in speed of the contest over 80 minutes, and I think that is something that is certainly something that weighs on the mind a little bit, just the type of footy that you’re used to playing.
“By no means does it mean there isn’t good quality in Group 20 or there aren’t blokes that are capable, that’s certainly not what I’m saying, we just thought for these particular games coming up that this was the best way forward.
“Certainly there’s some good young kids coming though Group 20, some really big boys too that I’m really excited to see in the next few years, and some that have experienced some high level footy in Sydney that have gone back home.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop and hopefully lift the standard of the competition by just being around, and the other boys being able to see the professionalism that they bring.”
In terms of the new inclusions in the squad, Dunn also confirmed one change, with Will Herring set to replace Albury five-eighth Paul Karaitiana, who will miss a significant period of football after injuring his ACL.
“We’ll be playing Will Herring at six for the upcoming game,” he said.
“Will’s obviously got a great partnership with Derek [Hay] as the halfback and Wilson [Hamblin] as a dummy half, obviously they play together at Gundagai and have done for the last couple of years.
“When Paul went down with an injury we were hopeful that he could possibly be right.
“Unfortunately he has succumbed to an ACL [injury], so he’ll have to drop out of the squad.
“It’s a shame for him and for Albury, he’s a really good fella and we wish him well in the recovery.”
Meanwhile, the Riverina Open Women’s Team has also been named, with Group 9 again dominating.
Of the 20-player squad, 16 are from the victorious Gladiators side, while only four are from Group 20.
Of the four Razorbacks players, two are from the Hay club, with Hannah Stewart set to start at lock and Wendy Gonevulavula also selected on the bench.
The Riverina Women play Western Rams tomorrow in Parkes.
Riverina Open Men’s Squad: Mitch Bennett (South City), Vili Cerei (Albury), Gus Clark (Wagga Kangaroos), John Downes (Wagga Kangaroos), Daniel Foley (Junee), Gabriel Gul (Gundagai), Wilson Hamblin (Gundagai), Shane Hannam (Wagga Kangaroos), Waratana Hartley (Wagga Brothers), Derek Hay (Gundagai), Will Herring (Gundagai), Cody Hodge (South City), Bailie Lyttle (Wagga Brothers), Kyle McCarthy (South City), Cleve McGhie (Wagga Brothers), Simione Naiduki (Wagga Kangaroos), Ulai Oti‑Lahood (Yanco‑Wamoon), Dakota Ruta (Wagga Kangaroos), Nikola Sovatabua (Cootamundra), Guy Thompson (Darlington Point‑Coleambally), Brody Tracey (South City), Tai Vaavale (Cootamundra). Coach: Blake Dunn (Wagga Brothers)
Riverina Open Women’s Team (v Western Rams, tomorrow): 1. Abbey Flanagan, 2. Kate Foley, 3. Josie Hoey, 4. Ratulina Smith, 5. Abbey Field, 6. Kassie Hiscock, 7. Anabelle Willis, 8. Emma Hickey, 9. Milly Lucas, 10. Deanna Smith, 11. Caitlin Blackford, 12. Dana Seward, 13. Hannah Stewart, 14. Shania McKinnon, 15. Samantha Simpson, 16. Wendy Gonvulavula, 17. Ivy Merlehan, 18. Jorja Brennan, 19. Maddison Morris, 20. Ally Haisell.
