The Cootamundra Bulldogs currently have nominations open to vote on their unofficial Team of the Decade, between 2011-2021.
Players nominated and selected in the Team of the Decade must have played at least ten games for the club in the ten-year window, while also being worthy of the honour with their playing prowess.
All players that meet the prerequisites can be nominated and voted on by the public, with the highest vote collecting players to be placed in the final Team of the Decade.
A starting team of 13 will be selected in their specific playing positions, as well as a coach.
Voting closes this Friday, September 3rd, with the unofficial team to be announced on the Cootamundra Bulldogs website and Facebook page a week later on September 10th.
Jay Somers from the Coota Bulldogs said the concept for unofficial Team of the Decade was coined by some club officials to fill the void during the latest New South Wales state lockdown.
“It originally came up as a bit of an idea to keep supporters interested in the footy club during lockdown with not much happening,” Jay said.
“It’s hard for us to post about too much at the moment, so it was for a bit of fun for interest’s sake to start with and to keep people engaged.
“It’s generated a little bit more interest than we first thought. Originally it was just designed to pass a bit of time while we waited for some footy news.
“But, with the reception it has received, I think once we get a clearer picture of when we can hold a presentation night a bit more will be done with it there.”
Current nominations in each position are listed below, however, others can be listed if they meet the parameters.
Fullback: Grant Miller, Matt Forsyth, Jordyn Ballard, James Smith, Liam Duffy
Wing: Sirla Pera, Jordyn Ballard, Liam Duffy, Uli Takitaki, Nathan Corby, Fine Faingaa, Jason Cronin, Ky White
Centre: Matt Forsyth, Jordyn Ballard, Rob Tulenew, Michael Murphy, Sione Tongia, Chris Maher, Jason Cronin, Jarryd Cook, Willie Purcell
Five Eighth: Nathan McGowan, Grant Miller, Jordyn Ballard, James Smith, Shannon Rupapare, Jarrod Brackenhofer
Halfback: Glen Buttriss, Matt Forsyth, Joel Pettit, Joe Ward, James Smith
Prop: Jake Goodwin, Kyle Neal, Dave Edwards, Grant Boyd, Haydn Cowled, Tom Sellars, Wayne Parker, Jeremy Wood, Joel Marama, Moe Clune, Willie Purcell
Second Row: Luke Berkrey, Luke Levett, Grant Boyd, David Buttriss, Chris Maher, Michael Glanville, Nathan Corby, Tom Sellars, Michael Murphy, Aaron Duncan
Lock: Michael Murphy, Luke Berkrey, David Buttriss, Michael Glanville, Wayne Parker
Hooker: Patty Cameron, Glen Buttriss, James Woolford, Michael Glanville, Nathan Corby
Coaches: Mark Elia, Aaron Byrne, Grant Boyd, Jordyn Ballard, Matt Forsyth, Simon Vanzanten, Glen Buttriss
Voting for the Cootamundra Bulldogs Team of the Decade has been open for two weeks and is due to close soon.
Nominations and votes for the Team of the Decade can be made by messaging the Cootamundra Rugby League Football Club Facebook page or by texting Jay Somers on 0400 218 733 or Aaron Vitnell on 0411 577 814.
News has this week filtered through that the 2021 Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield has been cancelled due to the evolving COVID-19 situation.
More to come.
Tim Warren