EIGHT Group 2 under 18s players were selected as part of the East Coast Dolphins representative rugby league side at the weekend.
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On Saturday, the Group 2 squad took on two sides – Northern Rivers and Group 3 – winning both, 18-0 and 18-4 respectively.
That effort saw them receive the regional championship trophy from Greg ‘Skippy’ Mayhew.
An 18-man team was then announced for the Dolphins rep side.
Four Nambucca Roosters were among those selected: Zac Sheppard, Jake Hoban, Zac Johnson and Darren Holten. Also named from Group 2 were Macleay Valley’s Joseph Gardiner, Nick Millar and Jared Clarke and Bellingen/Dorrigo’s Dylan Edwards.
Group 2 coach Danny Doolan was surprised by some of his players who missed out.
“I thought our captain Rob Fernando and the Macksville boys, Joe McKay, Brad Doolan and Daneil Donovan were extremely unlucky to not be selected as they were outstanding on the day,” Danny told the Guardian.
“That being said, I was extremely pleased at the way the boys played … they played controlled rugby league with plenty of aggression.
“Our defence was the highlight of our performance with only one try scored against us all day.”
Doolan is confident every member of the Group 2 side has a bright future in the code.
“We are all proud of the way the guys conducted themselves on and off the field ... it is a credit to them the way they have bonded as a team,” he said.
The Dolphins have been in camp this week and play on Saturday and Sunday at Newcastle - aiming for selection in a country side.
* Group 2 had seven players named in the Under 16s Dolphins rep side – including Jai Doolan from the Bowraville Tigers.
* Full senior Macksville Sea Eagles and Nambucca Roosters wrap in today's Guardian.
