Rugby league returns to Baddeley Park this Saturday when the Cessnock Goannas and the Kurri Bulldogs will face off in all grades for the annual Charity Shield.
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This year’s chosen charity is Coalfields Diabetes, and the organisers hope to raise $16,000 on the day.
The Goannas have had a large turnover in playing and coaching staff so the game against a strong Kurri outfit should give some sort of indication for the year ahead.
New coach Craig Miller has been impressed with the attitude of the whole squad during a very tough pre-season.
Players for fans to keep an eye on are Willie Heta, a half back who has been a stand out in the Riverina competition; Jarred Edwards, a representative centre from Souths; Trent Hawes, a renowned tough man from Macquarie; and Noel Underwood from Central, who has been training with the Knights over the summer months.
There are also two players from the Knights under-20s who will be looking for their first run in the top grade – Tyrone Amey, who captained the Knights under-18s last year and local lad Sam Apthorpe.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will bring a revamped squad to contest the shield.
Samoan international and former NRL first grade hooker Terrence Seu Seu (Knights, Sharks, Manly) will play his first Charity Shield in Kurri colours over 12 years – after stints with opposing Coalfields clubs Cessnock and Maitland in recent years.
Cessnock life member and 2014 grand finalist Jacob McKendry will oppose the Goannas for the first time, joining a plethora of new signings such as Ryan Walker (Central), Brock Gilmour (Helensburgh Tigers), Tom McKenzie (Central Queensland Capras), Ryan Walsh (Lakes), Brock Harmer (Wyong Central) and more.
Kurri’s first grade team will play in custom-designed jerseys made especially for the Charity Shield, with plans to auction them off after the game. The jersey design will be released via the Bulldogs’ social media platforms in the lead-up to the game.
Cessnock leads the overall Charity Shield tally at 6-5, since the gala day was first introduced in 2003.
Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn said the Charity Shield is a great way to launch the 2015 season.
“So many people work so hard to make this successful,” Quinn said.
Admission is $5 with all proceeds going to Coalfields Diabetes.
Matches will start at 8.30am on Saturday and continue throughout the day across all age groups, leading into the new-look grades structure of Under-19s, open age, reserve grade and first grade, with the main match to kick off around 7.15pm.
Watch the game via Bar TV's live stream here: