Championship in sight

WITH two rounds remaining in the NRRRL competition the Grafton Ghosts have all but wrapped up the coveted club championship.

It will be the first time the Ghosts have been crowned club champions since their inception into the competition in 1963.

First grade and under-18s both remain undefeated and the reserve grade side is sitting in third place on the ladder with nine wins, two losses and three draws.

Winning the club championship has highlighted the depth of players within the club and according to Ghosts president Michael Rogan, it has been a stellar year.

“I can’t remember in my 31 years the Ghosts winning the club championship,” Rogan said.

“And I’m pretty sure it has never been achieved by the club since it was formed in 1963.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and shows the strength of the club, particularly our juniors.”

Rogan added the club’s success in 2010 could also be attributed to the many volunteers and supporters who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

“To be so competitive in all three grades is a credit to the coaching staff and also all those people who have worked so hard to get the club to where it is today,” he said.

Rugby league fans will be in for a treat tomorrow when the Ghosts take on Marist Brothers in three grades. Marist is the only side this season to come within striking distance of the Ghosts losing at home 13-6 in a torrid affair.

Grafton Ghosts coach Col Speed has named a strong side to play Marist although in-form second-rower Grant Stevens will miss the game with a minor back injury.

“Stumpy has a niggling back injury but we have a good replacement in Don Dickson,” Speed said.

Dickson, who has missed the past two games due to a thumb injury, will provide Speed with plenty attacking options.

Dickson’s ability to attract defenders and off-load has been a feature of his play this season.

With Nat Sewell also making a return the Ghosts pack will have plenty of grunt up front.

Speed said the David Krause coached Marist Brothers were difficult opponents last meeting but added his side had plenty of room for improvement.

“You always have to respect Marist but we played pretty poorly against them last time,” Speed said.

“I watched the DVD from our last encounter with them and hopefully we have ironed out a few problems at training.

“We were a bit tense last time and took some poor attacking options but it was a good learning curve for us.”

Marist Brothers go into the game as rank outsiders after it was confirmed during the week they will be without several key players.

“We have a totally different side to the one which played the Ghosts in round 10,” Marist Brothers coach David Krause said yesterday.

“We’ve lost our five-eighth Jake Campbell, our front-rower Rod McFarlane and centre Dylan Coleman.

“Losing Dylan is a huge blow as he is without doubt the best centre in the competition by a mile.

“The Ghosts have a fantastic side and will be looking for a hard hit-out before the semi-finals but in saying that we will certainly be sticking it to them,” Krause added.

Team

Grafton Ghosts

1. Anthony Don

2. Carson Galloway

3. Ben McLennan

4. Khan Williams

5. Daniel Lollback

6. Daniel Roberts

7. Ryan Farrell (c)

8. Dave Emmott

9. Rhys Walters

10. Nat Sewell

11. Ryan Danvers

12. Liam Bland

13. Don Dickson

Interchange: Thomas Burnell, Mitchell Wicks