Youngsters named new halves pairing for Grafton Redmen

NATHAN McPherson will start alongside Zac Hyatt in the Grafton Redmen halves for the first time today.

ALL CHANGE: Redmen Kyle Hancock makes a run against Wollongbar. He will start at fullback against Lennox Head today. PHOTO: GARY NICHOLS

NATHAN McPherson will start alongside Zac Hyatt in the Grafton Redmen halves for the first time today.

The under-18 duo has played as a combination at various stages after coming off the bench.

However, both are named to start, suggesting coaches Peter Tonkin and Don Darke are keen to settle on the pair as a permanent fixture.

"In the past they've played under-18s and come off the bench in first grade," Tonkin said.

"We've picked them on the merit of all the trials and first two games we've played. They've been impressive enough to warrant selection.

"Hopefully this can become our settled backline."

It means Paul Cameron makes the shift to inside centre - where he has moved when McPherson has entered the fray in the first two rounds.

Cameron's experience will be an important link between the young halves and the fliers out wide.

"The good thing about our backline is our blend of youth and experience," Tonkin said.

"Ben Stone is the X-factor with his blistering pace and I would be interested to see a foot race between he and Bryce Rankin. I'd say they're the fastest two in the grade.

"I'd be loath to move Kyle Hancock out of fullback. He could play any

where but plays so well there."

Lennox Head is two from two with a 22-17 win over Bangalow and 50 to 7 over Casino so far this season.

1st Grade

 

GRAFTON REDMEN

1 Luke Deleiuen, 2 Sean Austin (c), 3 Nick Collie, 4 Beau Deleiuen, 5 Ed McGrath, 6 Jacob Page, 7 Justin Travers, 8 Jono Speechley, 9 Zac Hyatt, 10 Nathan McPherson, 11 Bryce Rankin, 12 Paul Cameron, 13. Scott Lloyd, 14 Ben Stone, 15 Kyle Hancock. Coaches: Don Darke, Peter Tonkin.

 

LENNOX HEAD

1 Jack Nash, 2 Jamie Tredinnick, 3 Benn Wright, 4 Harrison Bungate, 5 Stephen Lea, 6 Hamish Holbrook, 7 Harry Witt, 8 Jacob Creagh, 9 Ricky Dixon, 10 Paul Crozier, 11 Tavis Roberts, 12 Micheal Muir, 13 Cameron Phillips, 14 Taylor Steele, 15 Dan Boardman.

Coach: Jason McCombie.

Originally published as Youngsters named new halves pairing for Grafton Redmen