Season starts with the Dirty Reds

The Blue Giants 2017 is here and kicks off tomorrow morning at Drummoyne Oval. Like most clubs in Sydney, Colleagues have had an on and off pre-season with Sydney coming of the wettest March on record.

With all that in the mix, two full club trials were played against Drummoyne and Mosman, with the Blue Giants getting up on both weekends across the grades.

This season will see a number of new faces across all teams at the club. After Grand Final appearances in Judd through to Kentwell Cup last season, Colleagues say goodbye to Kentwell tighthead Rob McMickan (retired), No.8 James Kennelly (moved to the Walgett), flyhalf Toby L’Estrange (retired, coaching Balmain), inside centre James McMahon (retired) and charging outside centre Mitch Mansfield (moved interstate).

The Colleagues coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge of a new wave of players stepping up the grades. Already impressing the coaches this preseason has been inside centre Winston Bradley (above), young utility back Tom Harbison and backrower Nick Fletcher (right).

In one season Winston Bradley has gone from captaining the Judd Cup premiership side, to a starting birth in Kentwell Cup tomorrow. Winston has been in fine form in the trials and has very much earnt he place in first grade.

Tom Harbison played in the premiership winning Whiddon Cup side last year at halfback but has excelled so far this season at flyhalf and fullback in Burke Cup.

In the forwards keep your eyes out for up and coming back rower Nick Fletcher. Fletch was the No.8 and captain of the 2015 Premiership colts team who spent last season recovering from a knee reconstruction. Nick will runout at openside flanker tomorrow in the Kentwell Cup match.

Kick off times @ Drummoyne Oval

5th Grade v Gordon 5th : 9:45am
4th Grade: 10.45am
3rd Grade: 11.40am
Colts: 12.45pm
2nd Grade: 2.00pm
1st Grade: 3.20pm

The Colleagues Long Lunch is one of the most enjoyable rugby lunches of the year. With over 100 Blue Giants of today and yesteryear in attendance this afternoon is always a cracker to get the rugby season started.

This year our guest speakers will be former Wallaby openside flankers Phil Waugh and David Croft. They’re will be a tremendous amount of banter between these two lads as they recount stories of their playing days from on and off the field. Im sure we’ll also get some key insights to the current state and future of Super Rugby.

Colleagues players get the discount rate of $150 each.

Colts price is only $100

Click here to get tickets

Venue -Doltone House at Tatts, 3/181 Elizabeth St, Sydney

Start -1.00pm

Dress -Rugby tie (preferably Colleagues Tie, sports coat optional)

The best ladies day on the Rugby calendar is one week away. Next Saturday 29th April Colleagues take on Knox Old Boys in what will be in front of a huge crowd of wives, girlfriends, randoms, tinder matches and mates.

The forecast is a beautiful sunny day. For just $30 pre-sale tickets ladies will enjoy delicious canapés, plenty of bubbly and entertainment all afternoon.

There is also talk of a Solar D sun screen rubbing in contest for the ladies on some of the ripped rugby boys. Spread the word!

Tickets here 

2017 Events

28th April – Long Lunch

29th April – Sponsors and Ladies Day v Knox

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

Name: Thomas Harbison
Date of Birth: 05/10/1994
Height: 176cm
Weight: 76kg
Home town: Molong NSW
First year at the club: 2015
Position(s) played: Half-back, five-eight
Highest team played: Burke Cup
Games played (if known): 35
Previous clubs represented: Sydney University
Greatest Colleagues memory: Whiddon Cup premiers 2016
What brought you to the club: Jack Williams
What makes Colleagues successful: Culture

Name: Matt Barlow
Role: Club Skills Coach
Date of Birth: 5/3/1984
Home Town: Sydney
Years as a Colleagues Player: First year
Position(s) Played:10/15
Years coaching: 12
Previous clubs represented: Eastern Suburbs
Greatest Colleagues memory: Sneaking over from coaching at Easts to attend Colleagues Ladies Day.
What makes Colleagues successful: Lads on the lash

Well here we are, kick off for the 2017 season is finally here!!!

Unfortunately our preparation for this season was hampered by the unusual wet weather in March. For all the new players I ask for you to be patient as we sort out the grades, if you feel you are not in the right grade then please see  me.

This week we play Drummoyne away. Don’t let the trials fool you, the dirty reds always find new players last minute when the competition starts. All grades need to play wide and work across the pitch, the first 20mins will be hard but good defence and fitness should see Colleagues come home with a blue rinse!

After the game we will be heading to our new joint sponsor the Four in Hand in Paddington for $5.50 house beers and watch the rugby, sounds like a good weekend to me!

Manatee out…

Together with the Waratahs and New South Wales Rugby Union, we’ve developed a program to support grassroots rugby and local clubs.

This is an opportunity to earn $$ for your club and we strongly urge you to get this offer to your players and supporters, and your wider club community.

Your members get a discount on their energy bills, and your club earns money. Win-Win!

Summary:
›       Each person that joins the “AGL Waratahs energy plan” will earn their club:
»      $100 donation (electricity)
»      $50 donation (gas)
»      Up to $150 annually
»      Donation paid every year they remain on the plan.
»      Current AGL customers are eligible if they join the “AGL Waratahs energy plan”.
›      16% guaranteed discount off electricity bills.
›      12% guaranteed discount off gas bills.
›      Additional 2% discount if you have both gas and electricity with AGL.

The attachment is very thorough and explains the AGL Rugby Waratahs Program in detail and provides numbers and links for questions.

Sign up online at agl.com.au/rugby or call us on 1300 AGL TAHS (that’s 1300 245 824).