NRL stars Cameron Smith and Billy Slater have a new legion of fans – and they all hail from the Upper Hunter, including Singleton’s Brendon Chalker, Josh Johnson, Blake Trees, Aiden Partridge Smith, George Reid, Lachlan Townsend, Michael West, and Tom Caita-Mandra.
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The Melbourne Storm duo were just two of the players who welcomed the Hunter Valley Group 21 U16 side to town at last weekend.
The youngsters faced the Victorian U16 state team at AAMI Park on Sunday, in the curtain-raiser to the grand final replay between the Storm and premiers, Cronulla Sharks.
Although the local lads lost the encounter 34-18, their coach Tom Hagan was delighted with their performance.
“The boys did themselves proud – it was a big weekend for them,” he said.
“Singleton’s Josh Johnson was our man of the match while another Greyhound, George Reid scored two tries.”
As soon as the squad landed in Melbourne, the contingent underwent a tour of the facilities and sheds at AAMI Park.
For most of them, it was a case of star-spotting, according to Hagan.
The 18-man U16 squad included Steven Dengate, Matt Smart, Ryan Brown, Brendon Chalker, John Page, Zaine Stewart, George Reid, Edward Rosa, Lachlan Townsend, Josh Johnson, Blake Trees, Aiden Partridge Smith, Hayden Hoad, Matt Saunders, Michael West, Harry Cutler, Tom Caita-Mandra and James Noack.
