Author : Great Lakes Advocate

Great Lakes try hard in Uni Shield final

Disappointment for Great Lakes College rugby league university shield campaign

Great Lakes College’s University Shield squad and coaching staff at Belmore Oval. Picture by Steve Montgomery, OurFootyTeam.com.
.
GREAT Lakes College’s University Shield rugby league campaign came to a disappointing end when they were beaten 60-0 by Bass High School in the semi-final played at Belmore Oval.

However, co-coaches Simon Maher and Tom Freeman agreed if was a ‘tremendous effort’ by the team to make it to the semi of the prestigious competition.

“We were patchy, we didn’t complete sets; if we had of completed it wouldn’t have blown out as much and we do lack on our edges a bit,” he said.

“At periods of the game we were in it and could match it, but we didn’t do it for the entire game and that’s were the score line came in.

“I couldn’t be more proud of them up against a quality side,” Maher told Steve Montgomery from OurFootyTeam.com.

“Our two wingers haven’t played football before and there are other boys who haven’t played since Year 5 or 6.

At periods of the game we were in it and could match it, but we didn’t do it for the entire game and that’s were the score line came in.

– Great Lakes rugby league co-coach, Simon Maher

“I can’t speak highly enough of the attitude of those boys, and some of the talent that is there – I’d back them every day.”

Maher coached a number of players in primary school and he knew there was talent in the squad.

“They were a pretty solid team back then and used to do well around our area.

“We’d come down to Sydney a bit so I was looking forward to an opportunity to coach them in high school.

“I knew there was some talent there it was just a matter of getting them all together.”

While the result wasn’t the one the side had hoped for, Maher said the opportunity to play at Belmore and the welcome provided by the Canterbury Bulldogs will long live in the players’ memories.

Pictures by Steve Montgomery/OurFootyTeam.com

Pictures by Steve Montgomery/OurFootyTeam.com

“I said to the boys just enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere,” Maher said.

“When we got here the Doggies ran us through the facility and the boys were in awe. We don’t get to see a lot of NRL games up home as such

“They got us tickets for the Parra game as well and we ran in to (Canterbury star) Josh Addo Carr. It was like Christmas.”

Freeman said Bass Hill was a formidable side and were too strong.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted and we didn’t have much luck today, but our boys have been awesome all year,” he said.

“I’m very stoked they have much it this far.”

Related Links

Great Lakes Advocate

University Shield Rugby League

More NSW School footy news

NSWCHS Uni Shield (CHS) grand final action photo gallery (coming soon)

The post Great Lakes try hard in Uni Shield final appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Mick McDonald Great Lake Advocate

University Shield Rugby League

A section of the crowd that turned out at the Jack Neal Oval for the University Shield quarter final between Great Lakes College and Murrumbidgee.

A section of the crowd that turned out at the Jack Neal Oval for the University Shield quarter final between Great Lakes College and Murrumbidgee.

GREAT Lakes College’s University Shield Rugby League team will head to Belmore Oval, the spiritual home of the Canterbury Bulldogs, for the semi-final against Bass High School on Friday, September 2.

The Hunter champions, Great Lakes secured a spot in the semi-final with a 26-20 win over Murrumbidgee in the quarter final played at the Harry Elliott Oval, where they were spurred on by a big and vocal home crowd.

Co-coach, Simon Maher said Bass would field a formidable side.

“All of their starting 13 play SG Ball,” he said.

“But then again, a few of our players would have the ability to play SG Ball too.

“According to the shield convenor, Bass would be about the same standard as Murrumbidgee and we handled them okay.”

Top front rower, Trent Blomgren missed the quarter final win after breaking his wrist in a representative fixture.

The support we received from the community was a factor in our win in the quarter final.

– Co-coach, Simon Maher

“He gets the wrist out of plaster four days before the semi,” Maher said.

“But I don’t know if he’ll be playing though.

“It might be too much of an ask.”

However, Maher pointed out that Travis Felsch stepped up in Blemgren’s absence last match, where he scored three tries.

The team will attend Canterbury’s captain’s run at Belmore on the Thursday and also be at the Bulldogs/Storm NRL.

Maher said there would be a strong contingent of Great Lakes College students heading to the game.

“We’ll have a bit of support there,” he said.

“The support we received from the community was a factor in our win in the quarter final.”

The clash will kick-off at 1pm.

Great Lakes College get it on with Bass HS today, Friday 02 September, kick off is at 12:30 Pm at the famous Belmore Sports Ground

Related Links

Great Lakes Advocate

More NSW School footy news

The post University Shield Rugby League appeared first on OurFootyTeam.