Riley Reid ready to rip in for Rocky Rustlers against Townsville in State Challenge
Riley Reid did not let a badly injured finger stop him from playing the 47th Battalion grand final. Now he’s ready to bring that same determination when the team tackles Townsville. WARNING: GRAPHIC
Rockhampton
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If you need to know the passion that burns in the ranks of the Rocky Rustlers men’s rugby league team, look no further than Riley Reid.
The tough-as-nails front rower will line up with his teammates to tackle Townsville in the State Challenge at 6pm Saturday at Browne Park.
The Rustlers will be looking to repeat the heroics that saw them claim the 47th Battalion for the first time ever in April this year.
There was probably no more heroic than Reid in that history-making performance.
He pushed through a gruesome finger injury to play an integral part in the team’s 24-16 grand final win over the Bundaberg Bears.
Reid badly dislocated the ring finger on his right hand in the closing stages of the Rustlers’ first game of the carnival, played at Gladstone.
“My finger got caught in another player’s jersey in a tackle,” he said.
“It was a pretty bad dislocation; the bone was sticking out of the skin.
“I thought it was a compound fracture but it wasn’t, it had just come out of the socket.
“They gave me the green whistle and popped it back in for me at the hospital.”
Reid missed the Rustlers’ second game but played the grand final the following day.
“There was no way I was missing out on that game,” he said.
“I strapped the three fingers together, put some padding on it and it was good to go.”
Reid pushed through the pain and went on to be named in the men’s merit team.
He plans to bring the same determination and desire on Saturday against Townsville.
“We’re looking good,” he said.
“It’s the first time Rocky’s ever done this. There’s nerves but they’re good nerves so we’re confident.
“They do have a pretty big side so the game will definitely be won in the middle.”
Reid has been a regular in a Rockhampton rep jersey since he was 11, and this is his second year in the men’s team.
“It means the world to me,” he said.
“I’ve put on the Rocky jersey since I was a kid, and every time I’ve been proud to wear it.
“Everyone in this team has pride in the jersey, and is excited to be representing the region.
“I don’t think Townsville will think we’re in with a chance but we’re ready to shock them.”
Rockhampton Rustlers team
Kazzi Doyle, Justin Asse, Harlem Russell, CJ Clark, Blayton Vea Vea Youse, Caleb Tull, Angus Dorante, Riley Reid, Jack Pattie, Harrison Leonard, Les Browne, Lachlan Campbell, Takia Mokohar, Jack White, Riley Shadlow, Jordan Cox, Vini Unior Kabunane Tefoto, Jake Jackson, Harry Barham.
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