WESTERN Rams coach Michael Sullivan admitted he didn't know a lot about the Group 11 players leading into Saturday's representative cluster day at Dubbo's Caltex Park but he was left impressed as nine players from the Group gained Western selection.
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Five players from Dubbo made the side, headlined by CYMS foursome John Grey, Jyie Chapman, Coby Pellow and Keiran Shipp, while Macquarie's Jeremy Smith also scored another Rams jersey.
The shock selection came with three players named in the Western team despite not playing on Saturday, where Group 11 defeated Group 10 14-6, but Sullivan feels he has a team which is capable of making a real impact at the Country Rugby League Regional Tier 2 Championship later this month.
"A lot of players I know their background and some I don't so you've got to go with the side you think best fits and we've got some really good talent, a big forward pack, talent out wide and some inspirational pivots so we'll go from there," he said.
"Enthusiasm is the biggest thing and Group 11 won the points on that today and that's why they've got the majority of the players in."
Mudgee duo Jack Afamasaga and Demetrius Anu, along with Bathurst St Pat's star Gary Reilly, were named despite missing Saturday's action but Sullivan said there was no doubting their quality and they were fully deserving of their spots.
"Reilly is at the World Cup, captaining New Zealand at touch footy so that's a fair excuse after getting picked and I know his talent and he would have had a great game today," he said.
"Jack speaks for himself and I don't think anyone who has played with or against him would question his selection and Demetrius is the other and he's along the same lines, he's got Sydney experience and I know all those guys are quality players and if they were there today it's a very close game."
Sullivan and his selection committee went with a side packed with strength up front with Group 11 powerhouses Justin Toomey-White, Brendan Tago, Jake Grace and Ben Maguire all chosen and joined by Group 10 forwards Dane Howarth and Simon Osborne, as well as Afamasaga and Anu.
"I know some of the Group 10 guys can player better than that and they didn't turn up on the day and it's cost them a spot in the side but that's the nature of footy and choosing these sides," Sullivan said.
Mudgee try-scoring machine Corin Smith, the versatile Ben McAlpine and former Papua New Guinea international Benjamin John were the other players chosen.
Western begin their Country Rugby League Regional Tier 2 Championship campaign on May 30 with a clash against the Greater Northern Tigers at Bathurst's Carrington Park.
WESTERN RAMS: Jyie Chapman, John Grey, Keiran Shipp, Colby Pellow (Dubbo CYMS), Jeremy Smith (Dubbo Macquarie), Brendan Tago (Parkes Spacemen), Jake Grace, Ben Maguire (Forbes Magpies), Justin Toomey-White (Wellington Cowboys), Jack Afamasaga, Demetrius Anu, Corin Smith (Mudgee Dragons), Benjamin John, Garry Reilly (Bathurst St Pat's), Simon Osborne, Ben McAlpine (Orange CYMS), Dane Howarth (Blayney Bears)
