Bush Beat country column: Nathan Merritt’s Wellington debut delayed after family illness
A FAMILY Illness has forced former NRL flyer Nathan Merritt to delay his anticipated Wellington Cowboys debut until this Sunday.
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A FAMILY Illness has forced former NRL flyer Nathan Merritt to delay his anticipated Wellington Cowboys debut until this Sunday.
Merritt was set to make his first appearance for the Cowboys against the Nyngan Tigers last weekend, but he had to reschedule to look after one of his sick children.
The ex-Souths and Sharks try scoring sensation will now don the Wellington jersey in this Sunday’s home game against Westside at Kennard Park from 2pm.
Merritt is a major coup for the rebuilding Cowboys, who claimed only three wins last season to finish last.
He scored 154 tries in his 237 games for the Rabbitohs and Sharks and Wellington hope he can replicate this form when he lines up in the centres.
Cowboys captain-coach Aidan Ryan can’t wait to play alongside the former NRL and NSW Origin speedster.
“Every second person you see is talking about Nathan at the moment,” Ryan told Bush Beat.
“I think a lot of people in the country are excited to see him in person. They’ve watched him on television for many years, so it’s great for country rugby league that he is playing out here.
“Nath is the all-time leading scorer for the Rabbitohs (146 tries), so we know he can score tries at the best level.
“Hopefully he can get a few on the board for us and get us a few wins throughout the season.”
Ryan has no doubts Merritt will star for Wellington, but he believes he’ll be equally influential off the field.
“Nathan’s signing is a big thing for our small community,” he said.
“You’ve heard about all the drugs and stuff, so hopefully Nathan inspires some of these younger fellas that are out on the booze and drugs to play footy and take a different path in life.”
Merritt will train in Sydney during the week, before travelling to Wellington each weekend for the captain’s run and game on the Sunday.
Bubba defies age to play on
Former Balmain centre William ‘Bubba’ Kennedy has committed to play his 21st season of country footy with Cargo in the Woodbridge Cup this year.
Kennedy weighed up ending his illustrious eight-club bush career over the summer, but the 49-year-old has decided to keep playing.
The man nicknamed “Bubba” played his first game for 2018 on Sunday, turning up unannounced and scoring a try in a close win over Eugowra.
Cargo vice-president Ashley Brown said it’s great to see Kennedy running around again.
“Bubba just loves playing and we are certainly happy to have him in our team,” Brown said.
Buttriss off to a solid start
Glen Buttriss’ Cootamundra homecoming is off to a solid start, with the former Canberra hooker guiding the Bulldogs to two wins from their opening three games.
Cootamundra defeated Gundagai in the opening round, before taking down an Albury side featuring ex-Raider Adrian Purtell in the second round.
The Bulldogs suffered their first loss against Southcity on Saturday, but they remain in the top five heading into round four this weekend.
For Buttriss, his return to bush footy has been particularly enjoyable playing alongside his younger brother David for the first time.