SPORT Cronulla senses a resurgence Reputation irrelevant SYDNEY: Cronulla skipper Trent Barrett claims Canter- Broncos rookies press claims bury’s Lazarus-like resurrec- By STEVE RICKETTS possible because they are in tion as an NRL powerhouse in England. Redcliffe is a good has given the Sharks the belief that they too can put the BRONCOS coach Ivan Cup side and horrors of 2009 behind them. Henjak says reputations they will give us a tough game.’’ Barrett talked up the Sharks will count for nothing if finals chances as the club several rookies continue to Lockyer also tipped youth to finally found something to impress ahead of the Round get a chance in 2010 and cheer about yesterday, with 1 showdown with the Cow- admitted he was excited about electronics company Hisense boys at Suncorp Stadium. the prospect of playing along- side 18-year-old Norman. signing on as major sponsor Henjak revealed yesterday ‘‘A try he set up on Saturday for the next two season. he was willing to blood against the Raiders was pretty The loss of major backer LG players, just as he did last was one of a string of off-field year in the equivalent game impressive and he’s got some incidents to dog the club last against the Cowboys when really good skills,’’ Lockyer year — when they also fin- Jharal Yow Yeh, Antonio said. ‘‘I’m looking forward to ished second-last on the lad- Winterstein and Alex Glenn playing footy with him. He’s a der — but there was renewed made their NRL debuts. but came to the club optimism yesterday of better and played five-eighth and This time Matt Gillett, times ahead. now he is back at fullback. Corey Norman and Mitchell That sort of scenario brings Barrett pointed to the Bull- Dodds are youngsters in the back a few memories.’’ dogs resurgence from a frame and all they need is to drama-riddled wooden spoon perform against Redcliffe at ‘‘There are a lot of good kids in 2008 to finish second last Dolphin Oval on Saturday in here and it would be nice to year as proof that an immedi- the Broncos’ final trial. keep them all. The Broncos ate turnaround is possible. Second-rower Gillett had will be looking to do that over ‘‘We want to make the an impressive 2009 with Bris- the next five or six years semis — that’s our biggest bane Norths, fullback because there is a good focus and I think we’ve got Norman has drawn compari- future there.’’ the team to do it,’’ Barrett Henjak said he would have

sons with Broncos skipper K said. ‘‘Our forward pack’s close to potentially his best , while full- Y pretty good on paper and we time electrician, Dodds, who available team on the field need some luck too. We need is contracted to Wynnum- against Redcliffe at some stage M our senior blokes fit and we Manly, has impressed the with Lockyer and Peter need the younger guys like C Broncos with his work ethic. Wallace in the halves. our Fergusons (Blake Lockyer said he would like Ferguson) and Stapos ‘‘I’m all for giving young to play the full 80 minutes after (Nathan Stapleton) to kick on blokes a chance,’’ Henjak said being rested from the Raiders from where they left off yesterday. ‘‘If they deserve it, last year. so be it. trial last weekend. ‘‘I’m not going to pick Fitness doubts remain over

‘‘It’s going to be a big effort COLOR: to come from where we came players on reputation, partic- backs Denan Kemp and Josh from but you saw what the ularly as our under-20s went Hoffman, both with ankle in-

Bulldogs did last year — it’s so well last year and they juries, and prop Scott Ander- 55 not unattainable for us.’’ have had good off-seasons. son (concussion). Coach Ricky Stuart said ‘‘I’m hoping for big things Halfback Tim Smith (ankle) support from the corporate from them. is confident he will be fit and ‘‘The Redcliffe trial is a Lockyer says the former Par- world was indicative of the PAGE: strides the club had taken great opportunity for all 22 ramatta star could provide the from the depths of last year IN THE COACH’S SIGHTS: Corey Norman is one of several rookies who could find players in our squad. X factor. when there was talk the club themselves in a Broncos guernsey in Round 1 of the NRL if his trial form this weekend ‘‘Ideally we would be play- ‘‘He can lay on a try at any was on the brink of folding. continues to impress coach Ivan Henjak ing Melbourne, but that is not time,’’ he said.

Bushratz resurrect Kakadu 10s 24-FEB-2010 AFTER a year’s break, the Jabiru joined the Leukaemia Foundation’s Bushratz Rugby Union Football Club Shave for a Cure campaign, and are will again host the Kakadu 10s attempting to break the previous best tournament. fundraising total of $14,000 for the NT. DATE: Eight teams are set to contest the So far seven Bushratz players have men’s Croc Trophy division with three stuck up their hand to support with a sides lining up in the Kakadu Shield head shave. women’s competition. Each has set themselves a goal of The Casuarina Cougars have been between $500 and $1000. made the top seeds. Club captain Ryan Ilett, ex-president

The Cats won the Bowl competition Ben Cordier and trainer-runner Kevin NT NEWS at the Singapore 7s last year and Matson are among those who have reached the semi-finals of the Buff agreed to part with their locks in an

Plate at the Heineken Hottest 7s in the attempt to raise money and awareness PUB: World last month in Darwin. for the Leukaemia Foundation. University — last year’s NTRU The remainder of the goal is premier in A and B grade — is hopefully going to be made up by seeded second. Bushratz stalwart Drew Weaver who The Swampdogs are set to return to has agreed to submit to a full body wax the field at the 10-a-side tournament if the base goal of $10,000 is reached. after a seven-year absence. Those who know Weaver would First Brigade will also enter a side in agree he ranks near the top of the list as the competition, which carries $2000 in one of the NT’s hairiest men. prizemoney, on March 6 at Magela The D-day will be held on Saturday, March 13 at Jabiru Golf Club. STILL A COWBOY: Field in Jabiru, 256km east of Darwin. halfback works with Darwin Meanwhile the Jabiru Bushratz have — PETER TIFFEN schoolchildren at a coaching clinic at Richardson Park yesterday Picture: STUART WALMSLEY Cowboys confident FOOTROT FLATS of keeping Thurston From back page ‘‘I suppose as time goes on, at some stage we’ll need a decision out of him.’’ Parr was keen to talk about Thurston’s involvement with the Cowboys in Saturday night’s trial game against Gold Coast. ‘‘That’s (whether he plays) ultimately the decision for the coach,’’ he said. ‘‘But I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t play, it’s an important game for us in the leadup to the Round 1 game. ‘‘And hopefully it won’t be the last time we see him in a Cowboys guernsey in Darwin.’’ www.ntnews.com.au Northern Territory News, Wednesday, February 24, 2010 — 55