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Daley names Goannas team by Tracie Edmondson 6 February 2014
W
ith Nathan Merritt and Greg Inglis as relatives, Laurie Daley’s First Nations Goannas’ halves pairing of Kareel Phillips and Adrian Davis are well credentialed for the non-elite Indigenous team’s challenge against the Knights in their inaugural trial match at Hunter Stadium on Saturday. The pair have been selected in a side that also includes former NRL stars David Peachey and Nathan Blacklock on an extended bench in a
game that will mark the culmination of the weeklong cultural festival which is being held in place of the Rugby League All Stars program that is being rested in 2014 post World Cup. Phillips, of Redfern NSW, who has been named five-eighth, spent last week at the Rabbitohs alongside his Uncle Nathan Merritt, while Davis of Scarborough QLD, a cousin of Greg Inglis, was at the Sea Eagles as part of their two-week preparation for an opportunity of a lifetime. The pair also spent time with Merritt and Inglis at the NRL Indigenous
Players’ Camp last weekend. Match day at Hunter Stadium (February 8) will further extend the family ties for Phillips, whose sister Lavinia will play for the NSW Indigenous women’s team against the QLD Indigenous women as one of two curtainraisers, ahead of the NSW and QLD U16 boys clash. On Friday there will be a Community Festival starting Junior and Senior matches, junior rugby league clinis and local stalls. The jersey presentation to the First
Nations Goannas will be at 5.30pm before the Knockout match between Murri’s vs Koori’s at 6.00pm. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster: http://www. ticketmaster.com.au/ Indigenous-Festival-ofNRL-Newcastle-tickets/ artist/1952132 General admission is Adults $18, Children $8, Family $45. Reserved tickets are available for Adults $25, Children $15, Family $65.
First Nations Goannas Team Photo: Back Row (L-R) Rod Jensen, Kareel Phillips, Roy Smith, Kieran Vale, Davin Crampton, Malcolm Congoo. Middle Row (L-R) Robert Nona, Joshua Benjamin, Reginald Saunders, Rickki Sutherland, Noel Underwood, James Livock, Matthew Pittman. Front Row (L-R) Dennis Moran, Rex Johnson, Nathan Blacklock, Adrian Davis, Laurie Daley (Coach), David Peachey, Javarn White, Phil Dennis.
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Knights coach Wayne Bennett, Dane Gagai, Travis Waddell, Javarn White, Adrian Davis and Goannas coach Laurie Daley.
First Nations Goannas Team No Name 1 Javarn White 2 Kieran Vale 3 Rickki Sutherland 4 Joshua Benjamin 5 Malcolm Congoo 6 Kareel Phillips 7 Adrian Davis 8 Reggie Saunders 9 Roy Smith 10 Matthew Pittman 11 Noel Underwood 12 Davin Crampton 13 Phil Dennis Interchange 14 David Peachey 15 Nathan Blacklock 16 James Livock 17 Rod Jensen 18 Bobby Nona 19 Rex Johnson 20 Dennis Moran
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