Look at the faces of these young boys. They are only eight and nine years old but tonight most of them will run on to ANZ Stadium in Sydney to play a game of rugby before the Test match between the Wallabies and France.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coached by Michael Dodd, the young Roos and their families will total more than 50 in number in what should be a tremendous night of football.
The junior games are part of the Qantas Wallabies Rewards Program which invited junior clubs from all over NSW to participate and for the chosen few it will be an experience of a lifetime.
Fortunately the numbers came up for the Roos and also the Macquarie Emus under- 7s who will also go around tonight.
Michael Dodd summed up the mood this week after the final training run: “It will be the thrill of a lifetime for these little boys, and I guess just as exciting for us big guys and the mums and dads who will also be there.
“The boys will be proudly wearing their Roos guernseys and everyone has been really looking forward to it since we got the word of our selection a fortnight ago.”
Us at home probably won’t get to see the boys in action on our big screens, no doubt the big audience at the game will see it very differently.
To all concerned, have a great night and enjoy the experience, it will be lasting one I am sure.
Congratulations also to the Macquarie Emus, some of who live way out a Girilambone. What an experience it will be at ANZ tonight for these boys.
Their squad is made up of Charlie Kennedy, Jack Samuels, Hugh Duncan, Oliver Ferrari and Will Dugan from Trangie, Blake Marsden and Joel O’Brien (Tottenham), Douglas and Angus McGrath (Girilambone) and Scarlett Hamblin from Nevertire.
o o o
It’s been a sad week for us all with the passing of Jane McGrath and the death of a young fisherman at Lake Burrendong.
I was one of a great number who shed a tear after Jane’s passing following a courageous battle with cancer.
Like most, I feel certain that her young family will be in good hands with Glenn and his support team.
Just as certain are the wonderful memories James and Holly will have of their mum - the great television footage of the various aspects of their lives in good and not so good times - the warm smiles of a loving mum and so full of life.
Most of us have been touched by the agony and tears of people dear to us who have survived (and died) as the result of breast cancer.
Jane and Glenn McGrath have done her bit for the cause by the setting up of the McGrath Foundation and if the donations that have poured in this week are any indication then their work will not go without rewards and relief for the many suffers still fighting.
To Bev McGrath and Kevin, Donna and their families, my personal condolences, and that of our Weekend Liberal readers.
Also, to the family of the young man who lost his life in the boating accident at Lake Burrendong, our similar condolences.
Since the start of our regular Wednesday fishing column ‘Dubbo Catches’ written by Matt Hansen there has been a biggest focus on fishermen and their catches.
Sadly we feel as though we have lost one of our own.