The name EJ Fernando might not jump off the page when fans and rival players look at the Wellington Cowboys' lineup each week in Group 11.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the likes of captain-coach Justin Toomey-White, the electric Will Lousick, and bush footy legend Dennis Moran in the side it's easy to see why, but Fernando has quickly developed into a key figure for the Cowboys in 2021.
His role was highlighted on Sunday when he scored a hat-trick in the Cowboys' narrow win over the Macquarie Raiders.
Fernando scored his side's first of the day before powering on to a Moran cut-out ball just before half-time while his third try decided the match as it got the hosts back in front late on at Kennard Park.
READ ALSO:
The hard-running outside back has found a home in the centres in what his second stint at the Cowboys while he's previously also lined up for Dubbo CYMS, the Narromine Jets, and Dubbo Westside.
"At the start of the year we knew he was a massive, massive buy for us," Toomey-White said after Sunday's 34-30 win.
"He's been around Group 11 for years now and he just floats under the radar and does his job. It's awesome to have him on our side."
It's not just his ability to find the tryline that was so important on Sunday.
In the lead-up to his second try it was Fernando who charged down a Kane McDermott kick and regathered the ball close to the halfway line.
That swung momentum back in the Cowboys' favour and they marched down field and scored to provide a huge boost and have them trailing by just two at the half-time break.
The consistent Mason Williams, Lousick, and Toomey-White also scored in Sunday's win.
Toomey-White's try was a real highlight of the match as he was mobbed by his teammates during the bowel cancer awareness round fixture.
This season is Toomey-White's first back on the field since his battle with cancer in late 2018 and 2019, and it's been special to run back out in front of his home fans again.
"First try back at Kennard Park is awesome and it was just a good win," he said.
The win has the Cowboys just two points off the unbeaten Dubbo CYMS at the top of the ladder.
CYMS meets Macquarie in a bumper Dubbo derby next weekend while Wellington faces the tricky trip to Parkes.
The Spacemen have found top form in recent weeks and head into the Cowboys match having scored wins over Macquarie and Forbes in their past two games.
The Nyngan Tigers will welcome the winless Narromine Jets to Larkin Oval in the round's other match while Forbes has the bye.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
