When it was announced the Newcastle Yowies would be hosting the Koori Knockout at Dubbo rather than their own backyard, one of the players was particularly thrilled.
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Macquarie prop Jade Hooper has been part of four Knockout wins with the Yowies and helped them to the title last year.
The side which wins the carnival normally hosts it the following but this time the time-honoured and hugely popular event will be held at Apex Oval on the October long weekend.
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“It’s good because it’s a good oval to have it at with the four other grounds around it, and Apex and Dubbo is really central,” Hooper said.
“It’s a great spot, especially for me. I don’t have to travel anywhere.”
Hooper will be the lone local player for the Yowies, with Wellington pair AJ Davis and Aidan Ryan both departing the title-winning squad.
Davis has opted to play with family members from Kempsey while Ryan has played a major role in returning the Wellington Wedgetails to the carnival.
The three were part of the Yowies squad which played in the Knockout at Dubbo in 2015.
Thousands converged on the city then and the same is expected again in the coming week.
Some massive names in the game will be at Dubbo, with the likes of Andrew and David Fifita, James Roberts, and Josh Addo-Carr just some of the NRL players who figured last time the carnival was held at Apex.
“Every young (Indigenous) fella wants to go to the Knockout and wants to win one,” Hooper said.
While the football is always regarded as some of the most entertaining people can watch, there’s much more to the three-day event than that.
Now in its 48th year, the Koori Knockout has always been regarded as one of the biggest cultural events in the country with people from right across Australia coming together to celebrate Aboriginal culture and talent.
“It’s just a big gathering,” Hooper said of what makes it so special.
“Everyone loves being part of it and there’s really good football played as well.
“It’s absolutely great when you run out there on the Saturday morning for the first game. It really gets you pumped and it’s something everyone looks forward to, that first weekend in October.”
Hooper said it was still too early to say exactly would be in the Yowies squad, but aside from the departure of Davis and Ryan he didn’t expect too many changes. That means the likes of Timana Tahu, Albert Kelly, Maurice Blair and Travis Waddell could all line up for the side once again.
Hooper is also keen to make his presence felt after a stop-start season with the Raiders in Group 11.
“I’ve had some niggling injuries but I can’t wait to get out there. I’m a little bit unfit,” he laughed.
“But thankfully it’s 20-minute halves rather than the 80 minute games.”
The annual launch dinner and draw will be held at the Dubbo RSL next Wednesday night.