Cootamundra Bulldogs – Luke Berkrey
“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” says 34-year-old Cootamundra Bulldogs player, Luke Berkrey.
Playing since he was four years old, the builder and family-man says it was his dad who inspired him to originally play the game. He says he has never looked back and would absolutely play professionally if given the chance.
Outside of playing the sport, Luke says his favourite pastime is spending time with his family.
Although his father formed a pivotal part of his induction into Rugby League, he says Tyson Fury, the British boxer, also serves as a sporting hero of sorts due to his storied past that he has overcome.
As for inspiration during a hard match, Luke says he focuses on the feeling of winning past matches to fuel him when things get tough.
Luke first donned the Bulldogs’ jersey in 2008 at 16-years-old and has continuously returned to the team after stints with other teams in other towns.
Bonding over shared experiences with the other boys, he says he too likes to reminisce about Vance Joy’s Rock It playing in the shed as the team celebrated another hard-earned win.
Cootamundra Bulldogs – Jay Mugridge
Playing since the age of six, local millhand Jay Mugridge says it’s always been the brotherhood found within his rugby league team that has stood out to him as inspiration and motivation during a tough match.
Although it was his actual brothers who got him initially involved in the sport at a young age, Jay says the close bond he has formed with his teammates is just as close.
Outside of rugby, the 21-year-old says his favourite pastime is spending time “with the lads”.
As for sporting heroes, Jay says he doesn’t have to look far and says he looks up to 34-year-old Canberra Raiders player, Josh Papalii, who has scored more than 65 tries and has made more than 330 appearances in total.
Similar to his other teammates, he says his favourite team is the Bulldogs and his least favourite NRL side are the Storm’s.
There must be something about Vance Joy, because Jay also says his favourite post-game memory features listening to the Australia singer/songwriter’s Rock It with the team.
Formerly an Australian rules footballer, Vance Joy (James Gabriel Keogh) transitioned to a musical career after saying he had reached his potential as a football player. His music continues to be a favourite amongst other players, just as it is with the Cootamundra Bulldogs.
“Just keep trying” is Jay’s piece of advice for new players.
Although he says he is in the sport recreationally for the love of it, Jay (number 10) is a player to watch out on the field.
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.
