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There’s an old boy from Dubbo with plenty to offer, if last Saturday’s Legends of League tournament is anything to go by.
Andrew Ryan has led Canterbury to back-to-back crowns, the evergreen Dubbo gun turning back the clock to produce a stunning off-load for the Bulldogs’ second try and then scoring one of his own to help the blue and whites storm from 14-points down to win 27-14 against the Barbarians in the decider on the Central Coast.
It’s the second year in a row the Dogs have claimed the major prize, with Ryan leading last year’s raid on the legends tournament too.
The Legends of League tournament is designed to help players with their transition from full-time playing contracts into retirement and everyday life, with an emphasis on healthy body, sound mind and mateship.
Funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation are raised through ticket sales, with six sides – Canterbury, Brisbane, Newcastle, Manly, Parramatta and the Barbarians – taking part.
This year, along with Ryan, former Orange CYMS captain-coach Mick Sullivan, as a former Northern Eagles player, took part with the Manly Sea Eagles while ex-Eels livewire and Parkes Spacemen premiership-winning Dennis Moran lined up with Parramatta.
Parramatta went down in extra-time in its semi-final clash with the a Todd Carney-inspired Barbarians, while Manly failed to make the semi-finals.
"Everyone went to a new level,” Ryan said, his side including the likes of Mark O’Meley, Willie Mason, Rod Silva, Brett Sherwin and Roy Asotasi.
“Last year was a bit unknown, but (on Saturday) they were some tough games.
"You do get out there and try and compete. Our little phrase was 'don't embarrass ourselves, don't get injured'."