Boorowa calling on ‘mateship’ ahead of GTS defence

By Jeff Hanson

The Boorowa Rovers will call on an entirely local group of players to defend their Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield title in 2024.

Still on a high following their 22-8 win over the Crookwell Green Devils in last year’s decider, the Rovers will rely upon some youthful exuberance as they prepare for another campaign.

“A lot of people are still talking about the win; it was a pretty big buzz,” said Boorowa captain/coach Alex Stewart.

“Most of the boys have come back; some have retired and moved on, but we’ve got seven or eight younger blokes coming through, and they’re keen.

“They have been the driving force really and have been keeping everyone on their toes.”

Daniel Canellis, the younger brother of Boorowa stalwart Matthew Canellis, along with local product and former Yass Magpie Josh Dean, headline some of the players joining the strong squad.   

With most of the Boorowa side progressing through the junior ranks together, Stewart believes the Rovers are in a good spot to go back-to-back.

“That’s how we played last year, and we’ll be looking to build around that local squad again this year,” Stewart said.

“We’ll be relying on mateship more than anything, as most of them grew up playing backyard footy and juniors together, so they know what they can do.”

There will be expectations around Boorowa, who broke a 40-year premiership drought in 2023, but Stewart said he had been reminding his group that they would not get favours this season.

“It’s going to be an even competition, and I definitely think it is only going to get better and better,” Stewart said.

“Over the last five years, it has improved out of sight, and I think the token of the pub comp has gone. If you look through it, there will be no easy game.”

Boorowa was slow to start in 2023, losing to North Canberra 16-8 in their opening-round game while only winning two of their first four outings.

With a massive Round One match against North Canberra locked in at Kaleen on Saturday, Stewart said the Rovers had to be on the ball from the get-go.

“We need to start better than we did last year,” Stewart said.

“We played North Canberra and got beat, and we really didn’t fire early on.

“Our start is really important, and I’ve been harping on about it at training. We need to come out and make a statement.”

Early season games can often be decided by ball control and discipline, and Stewart believes whoever completes the basics on Saturday will earn the two competition points on offer.

“We’ve been working on our ruck, and we want to make sure it is spot on,” Stewart said.

“Our defence will be key early on, and good ball control around the ruck will go a long way toward us winning.

“The attack and all that other stuff will build throughout the season.”

The George Tooke Shield’s opening round is set to be explosive, with the eight-team competition as open as it’s ever been.

Crookwell takes on the returning Binalong Brahmans at Memorial Oval, the UC Stars host the Cootamundra Bulldogs at Raiders Belconnen, and Harden pays Bungendore a visit when the Hawks play the Tigers at Mick Sherd Oval.

Canberra Region Rugby League (CRRL) will continue bringing readers weekly GTS stories covering the men’s Tackle and women’s League Tag competitions.

For all CRRL draws, click here.