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Forbes Phoenix

Around The Grounds

February 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Regos Open: Registrations are now open for Junior Rugby League and interested parties are asked to register soon. See the link below and get registered online with Red Bend Junior Rugby League for 2022! www.playrugbyleague.com/

Eugowra Pony Club Formal Gymkhana: Eugowra Formal Gymkhana – Sunday March 20, 2022. Gear check from 8:30am. Rings start at 9am. $25 per rider or $60 family of 3 or more. Entries close March 13. Camping available. Eugowra Pony Club, Noble Street, Eugowra. Find @eugowraponyclub on Facebook.

Lachlan PSSA Touch Trials: The Lachlan PSSA Touch Trials for Boys and Girls are on in Parkes on Monday February 14 from 9am-12noon. Specific information available from School Sports Co-ordinators and nominations are to be approved by your school principal.

Netfit Netball: How cool does this look! Origin Neon NetFit Netball Forbes – Tuesday February 22nd. $50 ticket includes a membership pack. 7:30pm – Body paint and Braid bar; 8pm – 9pm – Neon Workout. Ages 12+. For more information or to book go to: netfitnetball.com/neon-netfit/

Active Kids Sports Vouchers Available: Active Kids is a NSW Government initiative to help families get their kids enrolled in sports and physical recreation! Each child enrolled in school from Kindergarten to Year 12 for 2022, is eligible for 2 x $100 ($200 total) Active Kids Vouchers, with the intention to cover coaching and competition fees in different terms. For more info – www.tennis.com.au/nsw/our-work/active-kids

New Competition As Old Faces Return

February 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

First it was former Premiership Captain Jake Grace and now former Magpies enforcer, Ben Robinson has returned to the fold for a crack at the new competition in 2022 with Forbes. From all reports, the Magpies signing spree isn’t finished just yet either as excitement builds for the new season!

Last March, after consultation, the NSWRL announced its plans to provide new opportunities for clubs in Groups 10 and 11 which would set Western NSW up for success for generations to come. The new competition will also provide weekly acid tests for Forbes footballers.

Group 10 includes clubs from Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee and Orange, while Group 11 includes clubs from Dubbo, Forbes, Narromine, Nyngan, Parkes and Wellington. Whereas previously neighbours like Forbes and Cowra or Mudgee and Wellington only played once a year, this is all about to change.

The revamped format includes:

• A first-past-the-post system and silverware for both the top clubs from Group 10 and Group 11 to preserve history and uphold traditional conferences;

• a minimum of four crossover games between Group 10 against Group 11 teams with travel to be minimised;

• the top four teams from Group 10 and Group 11 to advance to a play-off series involving eight teams who will all vie for the Western Premiership;

• the Western Premiership winner to take part in the end-of-season two-week Presidents Cup competition to determine the State Champion for 2022.

• The new competition in 2022 will run from April to September. If the Magpies continue on this trajectory with key signings, they may well be swooping at the start of Spring.

Sports Shorts

January 28, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

KICKING OFF IN 2022: Forbes Swampies Junior AFL are calling for more players in juniors and females to ensure 2022 is the biggest year for the club yet.

Forbes Junior AFL’s Big 2022 Plans

2022 will not only see more Forbes juniors playing in AFL but there will also be a bigger emphasis on female participants. Under 14s is currently the cut off for mixed teams with young girls playing in the 15-17 years age bracket. Women’s AFL is the fastest growing sport in Australia and a great way to meet people and stay fit! Check out Forbes Junior AFL Club on Facebook for more details!

Croquet Celebrates 2021

The Forbes Croquet Club recently had their presentation and awards day for their members.
Golf Croquet: Men’s 1st Mal Smith,Runner up Kevin Rubie; Ladies 1st ElvyQuirk, Runner up Joan Littlejohn;
Aussie Croquet: Men’s 1st JohnBrowne, Runner up Kevin Rubie; Ladies 1st Elvy Quirk, Runner up ColleenLiebich;
Encouragement Awards: Ray Burridge,John Farah, Merv Langfield, Neville Spryand Cheryle Toohey.
Well done all!

Forbes Fins

The Forbes Fins are busy with the Canowindra Swimming Carnival on Sunday January 30th (check the Canowindra Swimming Club Facebook page for COVID updates) and the Quandialla Swimming Carnival on Saturday February 19th. It promises to be a great end to the swim season and hopefully with no more disruptions.

New League Season Will Be Special

The new merged competitions this year promise to create a lot of interest in country rugby league. Whereas previously we would never see Forbes v Bathurst or Orange outside a pre-season trial, we now get a chance to see where the real strength in the region lies. It should make for a cracking season and already Forbes players are training hard after two years of disruptions.

Magpies Name Coaches, Signings

December 3, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

GROUP MERGER TALK: Group 11 and 10 have been having ongoing discussions regarding a proposed merged group in a bid to make competition stronger and games more competitive. Players like Charlie Staines (pictured) have benefited from strong group competition however a new league would help junior players immeasurably. Pic courtesy of NRL.com

 

The Forbes Magpies are gearing up for a big 2022 season with coaches and signings named over the past week as well as discussion surrounding the inevitability that Group 11 and 10 may come together sooner rather than later.

Former Forbes Magpies premiership winning captain Jake Grace is set to return as well as “95 per cent of talent from 2021” and the addition of kiwi stars Dawson Nanai and Alvin Maungaati (both Ron Massey Cup players with Western Suburbs Magpies) also joining the Forbes Magpie nest suddenly makes 2022 look vastly different.

Both Nanai and Maungaati are currently contracted playing European rugby and will finish there before they return to Australia for the new league season.

In other news, the club looks in great hands for the new year with Cameron Greenhalgh at the helm for first grade while Andrew Burton will take charge of reserves and Ben Godden the 18s. Brad McMillan will take the U21s in a pre-season comp and Jared Demaniel will look after the ladies league tag squad.

While the club has been on the front foot with coaching appointments and signings and securing the future, talk over the past few weeks has centred around a combined competition between neighbouring Group 10 with Group 11. It is a concept the club has supported before in the right format and inevitably will be the preferred option to give the 18s and first grade more competition.

Games against Bathurst, Blayney and Orange would happen more regularly and the Magpies remain keen on the idea. Both groups remain a strong rugby league nursery for the NRL with players such as Joel Thompson, Charlie Staines, Matt Burton, Isaah Yeo and many more all coming from the region. It can only help the game in the bush.

Sport Shorts

November 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Forbes S.S.A.A Update

Forbes SSAA members should check the Facebook page for shoot details for dates and times due to the floods. The next by-monthly meeting will be held on 8th December at the Sport & Rec Club starting at 7:30pm. Any Person wishing to obtain a long arm firearm licence can contact Wayne Facey on 0414 524 059, Norm Brook 0458 664 541 or Tony Bratton on (02) 68523349 to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course (which is a requirement for a firearm licence application). Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to the Forbes SSAA range. Like us on Facebook @Forbessportingshooters

Platypi Name Their Coaches For 2022

Returning first grade coach Heamani Lavaka will be joined by Tony Wallace and Chris Francis, both of whom have previously been involved in a variety of coaching roles at the Platypi. Brendan Hayes returns to coaching this season, heading up 2nd’s assisted by John Cole, with Wayne O’Neill joining both first and second grade as Team Manager. John will also continue to assist the Colts as we welcome Guy Turner from the Dubbo Rhino’s as Coach and Paul Shepherd as Team Manager. We are still looking for a Coach and Manager for the Women’s Team. Applications can be sent to forbesrugby@hotmail.com

Cricket Off Again

Forbes District Cricket Association cancelled Round 4 of matches last weekend after the floods rendered most venues unplayable. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates throughout the week.

Sam Drane Picked For Oceania Junior Cup Team

Local motorcycle star Sam Drane has been selected as part of the Oceania Junior Cup Team for 2022 after an interrupted but strong season. In a statement on his Facebook page, the young rider thanked Motorcycling Australia Elite Performance Academy and Oceania Junior Cup for the opportunity. “I also want to thank all the sponsors who have come on board for the 2022 season. I cannot wait for it to begin!”

Neither can we mate! Well done!

Nissan Classic Produces High Scores

They ploughed through the rain and sodden course to contest a very successful Nissan Golf Classic recently where Steve Betland was able to record his third win in the major event. 170 players from all corners of the state played both Saturday and Sunday. Betland’s 74 off the stick beat brother John (77) and Cabramatta’s Andrew Marsh by three shots while Carolyn Robinson from Kiama (85) won the ladies and Dubbo’s Josh Wood won the juniors.

Magpies Sign NZ Big Guns As Legend Returns

With former legend Jake Grace set to return as well as 95 per cent of talent locked up, the addition of kiwi stars Dawson Nanai and Alvin Maungaati also joining the Forbes Magpie nest makes 2022 look great. Nanai and Maungaati have serious league pedigree and will thrive under coach Cameron Greenhalgh. The Forbes Magpies are building nicely for next season. More next week!

Panthers Premiership Parade

November 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

NRL PREMIERS 2021: The winning Penrith Panthers NRL premiership winning squad were on hand in Penrith on Saturday to celebrate the club’s third premiership with fans. Forbes Charlie Staines (standing third from left) was a part of the special day that saw the victory bus tour go through Penrith all the way to BlueBet Stadium. Pic courtesy of NRL.com

 

The Penrith Panthers premiership parade was held last weekend with Nathan Cleary, Charlie Staines and co. taking a double-decker open top bus through Penrith to a packed BlueBet Panthers Stadium where they were given the keys to the city by Penrith City Mayor Karen McKeown OAM.

There are also plans for Western Division fans to get in on the action with a similar celebration penciled in for Bathurst in January however dates and times as well as location are yet to be confirmed.

The Panthers celebrations had to be put on ice initially after COVID lockdowns and restrictions across NSW not being lifted until November 1. Yet despite this, thousands turned out along the streets of Penrith and at the heartland for a slice of the action and to commemorate the clubs third premiership. Among them was Forbes local Charlie Staines, who played an instrumental part in Penrith’s success over the past two years. Now with a premiership to his name, 2022 promises to be a big one not just for the club but him as well.

After scoring four tries on debut in Round 9 last year against the Cronulla Sharks, Staines, 21, has played 23 NRL games and scored 20 tries – a phenomenal effort.

This year, Staines also had games with multiple try scoring efforts. In Round 5, Staines scored two tries for Penrith in a 30-10 victory over Canberra and only four rounds later it was Cronulla who copped it again when he bagged a hat-trick in a 48-0 schillacking.

In Round 10, he scored two tries in a victory over Titans then two weeks later repeated the dose in a 30-4 pasting of wooden spooners Canterbury. In Round 18, he nabbed two again, against the New Zealand Warriors.

What a year it was – congratulations Charlie and the Penrith Panthers!

Premiers 2021! Now bring on St. Helens and the World Club Challenge!

2022 NRL Draw Not Bad For Staines’ Panthers But Questions Linger

November 19, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Charlie Staines last year in Dubbo after Penrith put a score on South Sydney before repeating the dose in a narrow grand final win 14-12 in October. Charlie will be hoping for more game time this year after some of his former teammates have signed with rival clubs. Pic courtesy of Sharon Swindle.

For Charlie Staines and his Penrith Panthers, the first step towards defending their 2021 title will be against fellow contenders Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, on Thursday March 10 in what shapes as a mouth-watering contest to open the new season.

For Staines, work has already begun despite grand final victory parades in Penrith and Bathurst yet to be held. He will have first shot at the vacant wing spot left after Paul Momorovski left for the Roosters and Brent Naden and Matt Burton signed with the Bulldogs. The bigger question will be whether Stephen Crichton lines up inside him or someone else should he suit up next to NSW flyer, Brian To’o. Nevertheless, with Tyrone May also gone and Dean Whare departing last season as well – Penrith’s stocks suddenly look a little thin in the outside backs. Who will play inside Staines next year?

While coach Ivan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers brains trust have time to resolve their shortage of outside backs, the 2022 draw sees Penrith take on South Sydney in a grand final rematch in Round Four and two games against other heavyweights Melbourne and Sydney Roosters among others including rivals Parramatta.

In another boost for the game in the bush and our region, an equal record number of regional fixtures will be played with Bathurst, Dubbo, Mudgee and Wagga among the ten locations the NRL is taking the competition in 2022 in a real win for country rugby league fans.

Yet for Staines and the Panthers it is all about a good pre-season and getting combinations right for round one against the Sea Eagles. The 2022 NRL season may well be the one where Forbes Ferrari Charlie Staines finally leaves his mark!

Panthers Pip Brave Bunnies In NRL Decider

October 8, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

2021 NRL PREMIERS: Penrith Panthers celebrate their tight 14-12 win over South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday. (Pic courtesy of NRL)


It was the grand final no one expected but the finale we all deserved and will be talking about for a very long time after the Penrith Panthers outlasted the South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane – the first grand final outside of Sydney.

While Forbes Charlie Staines never made the match day 17, the Magpies prospect was cheering from the sidelines and like most, would’ve been beside himself as his teammates looked to take Penrith’s third title in 54 years. Ironically, it was also 30 years to the day that another well-known Central West prospect, Gooloogong boy, Royce Simmons, won Panthers’ inaugural title in 1991 over a star-studded Canberra Raiders side. Simmons has been credited by many all week with providing the incentive to help the young Penrith side bounce back from their 2020 grand final defeat to Melbourne.

After Dubbo CYMS Matt Burton’s open-ing four pointer was cancelled out by Cody Walker, both teams were locked in a war of attrition until Walker through a speculator that Stephen Crichton latched onto to give Panthers a valuable lead with time expiring. An Alex Johnston try gave Souths hope but departing star Adam Reynolds kick shaved the uprights.

As both teams scrambled to win the game in the closing stages, inevitably it was the championship defence of Penrith that proved the difference. For two years they have only conceded 12 points or less a game and on Sunday they also dominated territory and possession against a plucky Souths side. It was enough to give Penrith a narrow win and cement the NRL’s youngest side as the best in 2021.

History Beckons For Staines’ Panthers

October 1, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

30 YEARS AGO: Gooloogong’s Royce Simmons (pictured with trophy) after winning the 1991 grand final. Forbes Charlie Staines will be hoping his young side can do the same on Sunday. Photo courtesy of NRL.com

It is the grand final no one expected – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday and pending last minute changes it appears Forbes Charlie Staines sadly will not be part of the match day 17. It is also 30 years since Gooloogong’s favourite son Royce Simmons held aloft the Provan-Summons trophy.

Simmons, in his last game for the Panthers, scored the winning try in a 19-12 grand final rematch with a star-studded Canberra Raiders side that included the likes of Junee’s Laurie Daley, Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart and Brad Clyde among others.

Penrith, coming off a massive win over defending premiers Melbourne, will be looking not just for revenge against the Rabbitohs after a 16-10 loss three weeks ago but redemption after losing last year’s decider 26-20 to the Storm. Penrith will be wary after master coach Wayne Bennett ambushed the young side to earn a week off.

However the game plays out it will make for riveting viewing and hopefully the Forbes Ferrari gets a last-minute call up. Now that would be a story!

Our tip – Penrith by a point in a real close one.

Panthers Winning Off The Field Too

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

It appears Charlie Staines isn’t the only Forbes Ferrari winning on and off the field in Pantherland with Bayden Moran and Billy Phillips both added to the Panthers 2022 SG Ball train-on squad.

It is even more impressive given the disruption to sport in the past two years and the lack of continuity and consistent competition. While Penrith were busy beating Parramatta in the NRL finals last weekend 8-6, the Panthers SG Ball squad was announced via the highly successful Panthers Pathways that has seen the likes of Dubbo’s Matt Burton and others go through the ranks.

The 2022 squad is filled with the majority of players coming from Western Sydney as well as two from Forbes and one each from Cowra, Lithgow, Bathurst and even Queensland.

For Moran and Phillips it is testament to the hard work put in and good performances despite the COVID enforced breaks and interruptions. Forbes was the only club outside Dubbo or Western Sydney with two players selected. Well done!

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