The TravelSim Waratahs have announced the teams to take on Hawkesbury in the opening round of the 2015/16 season. After a preseason of several departures and injuries to some key personnel, the new campaign has presented opportunities throughout the grades to the next generation of Manly players.
In 1st grade, Ryan Farrell makes his long awaited debut after a fantastic 2014/2015 season. James Crosthwaite and Matt White will also make there 1st grade debuts for the club in what is a somewhat new look side from the one that defeated Bankstown at North Sydney Oval to win the competition 6 months ago. 2nd grade also have some new faces with Ben Falconer and Jake Carden stepping up into Rowan Hamman’s side to play at Manly Oval. James Munting has also stepped back to play 2nd grade this round due to personal committments.
3’s are once again led by the ageless Warren Evans who has an entirely new XI to the one that lifted the premiership last season. Matt Morris makes his return to the club after a 7 year hiatus while Joe Graham, Josh Wigney and James Crombie make there debuts in the ‘main grade’. 4th grade features club newcomer Dan McKenna, along with some top order fire power in the names of Luke Edgell and Ed Burgess who return to fill in for the Waratahs. Finally 5’s put out one of the youngest sides in recent memory with the likes of Will Akhurst, Jonah Anderson and (the not so young!) Tom Sheedy making there debuts for the club.
It promises to be a strong start for the TravelSim Waratahs, however our depth will be tested from the outset against the always tough Hawks. Good luck to all grades and we look forward to a few songs to start the campaign!
Up the Tahs!
First Grade v Hawkesbury, Owen Earle Oval
Saturday 26th September
Play commences: 9.30am
1. Adam Crosthwaite (c)
2. Jack Ritchie
3. James Crosthwaite
4. Ahillen Beadle
5. Taylor Beatty
6. Jay Lenton (+)
7. Aidan Baker
8. Nick McLachlan
9. Ryan Farrell
10. Michael Visser
11. Matt White
Second Grade v Hawkesbury, Manly Oval
Saturday 26th September
Play commences: 9.30am
1. Rowan Hamman (c)
2. Adam Gummer
3. Jarrod Rawlings
4. Tom Kaye
5. Javed Badyari
6. James Munting
7. Sam Webber (+)
8. Luke Grant
9. Dylan Marshall
10. Jake Carden
11. Ben Falconer
Third Grade v Hawkesbury, Bensons Lane 3
Saturday 26th September
Play commences: 9.30am
1. Warren Evans (c)
2. Joe Graham
3. Matt Cole
4. Sam Hole
5. James Crombie
6. Zac Trewartha
7. Sam Gainsford
8. James Boyer (+)
9. Matt Alexander
10. Matt Morris
11. Josh Wigney
Fourth Grade v Hawkesbury, Graham Reserve
Saturday 26th September
Play commences: 9.30am
1. Max Burgess (c)
2. Bill D’Arcy
3. Luke Edgell
4. Ed Burgess
5. Ash Virdi
6. Joel Wood
7. Will Outred
8. Dan McKenna
9. Ben Kittlety
10. Ryan Bishop-Perrett
11. Sam Kelly (+)
Fifth Grade
v Hawkesbury, Mike Pawley Oval
Saturday 26th September
Play commences: 9.30am
1. Simon Waddington (c)
2. Tom Sheedy
3. Jack Pickering
4. Toby Poole
5. Jacob Graham
6. Isaiah Vumbaca
7. Jacon O’Sullivan
8. Ned Hole
9. Will Akhurst (+)
10. Jonah Anderson
11. Alex Bain
Players unavailable for selection (7)
Steve O’Keefe (Rep duties), Jack Edwards (Junior Rep Duties), Aiden Bariol (Junior Rep Duties), Mickey Edwards (inj.), Cameron Merchant (inj.), Jordan Daly (o/s), Sam Alexander (away)
