EIGHT of Group 7 rugby league’s top young players have been named in the inaugural Illawarra/South Coast Warriors team to contest the CRL Championships.
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Following the Group 7 and Illawarra representative match on Friday, which the latter won 28-14, a 20-man team was named to take on the Group 6 Razorbacks at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday, May 20.
Included in the squad are two Nowra-Bomaderry Jets forwards – Ryan James and Santino Battagliolo, who are both looking forward to the opportunity to represent the Warriors.
”Personally didn't think I played well enough last Friday to make the next team, and was definitely disappointed with how I played, as I know I can play better – I guess so do the blokes who picked the side,” James said.
“In saying that, it means a lot to be selected as I haven't played in any representative sides since I was 15, so I’m definitely excited and get to play with a few of the Illawarra blokes who I'm good mates with - should be fun.
“It will be a good experience to play with some guys I’ve grown up playing against and with, so hopefully we can get the win.
“Obviously the match against Group 6 will be tough but my objective is to redeem myself from the last game, have a good game and do my bit for the team.”
Jets teammate Battagliolo echoed James’ thoughts, saying he is going to cherish this opportunity, having not played much representative football during his career.
“Last week, I thought I started off slow and didn't get the ball much but as the game went on, I got more involved and made good meters up the middle, which I was happy about,” Battagliolo said.
“Being named in the squad means a lot to me as I haven’t played a lot footy and that was my first representative game last week.
“After playing in that match, I’m more prepared for the next match, which I expect to be hard and fast.
“But with the strong squad that has been named, I know we can definitely get the win.
“Hopefully I play well myself and get my name out there, while learning new things to make me a better and smarter player in the future.”
The other six Group 7 players name din the squad are Shellharbour City trio Abe Atallah, Jesse Dee and Brock Skelly, Gerringong’s Jackson Ford, Jamberoo’s Corey Grigg and Warilla-Lake South’s Emanuel Sultana.
Illawarra/South Coast Warriors Squad: Abe Atallah (Shellharbour City), Santino Battagliolo (Nowra-Bomaderry), Hayden Carpenter (Wests), Josh Daley (Wests), Jesse Dee (Shellharbour City), Donte Efaraimo (Collegians), Justin Faughlin (Dapto), Jackson Ford (Gerringong), Corey Grigg (Jamberoo), Lachlan Hurst (Wests), Ryan James (Nowra-Bomaderry), Dylan Laurie (Wests), Ben Mathiou (Collegians), Jared McIlwrick (Wests), Tony Pellow (Corrimal), Justin Rodriguez (Wests), Tom Simpson (Thirroul), Brock Skelly (Shellharbour City), Emanuel Sultana (Warilla-Lake South) and Will Tom (Wests).