Five Newcastle Knights players have been selected to contest the Australian Schoolboys Championships in Darwin from July 6 to 11.
SG Ball talents Jack Cogger (McKillop College, Warnerville), Brock Lamb (All Saints Maitland), Jake McNamara (St Francis Xavier) and Braden Robson (St Francis Xavier) will all don the Blue for the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges side.
David Sheridan (Hunter Sports High) has also been named to play on the wing in the NSW Combined High Schools team.
Callen Edwards (All Saints Maitland) was set to represent the Combined Catholic Colleges, but was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury.
Edwards will be replaced by Robson, a talented outside back from the SG Ball ranks who has excelled playing on the wing for the Club’s table-topping NYC side in the past three weeks.
High Performance Unit Coach Troy Pezet says the players' selections highlight the Club’s strength at a junior level.
"It’s a good opportunity for the boys to showcase their talents at the next level," Pezet enthuses.
"It’s also a good reward for the year that they’ve had a good transition to get them ready for senior football or NYC at least.
"That’s especially the case for Jack and Brock.
"Jack was 18th man for NSW 18s Origin side recently and he doesn’t turn 17 until August so that’s a great feat.
"He and Brock will play together in the halves and Jake McNamara will play hooker."
The NSW CHS side will play three matches in Darwin, plus a final if they can win at least two of their pool games.
On top of national glory, the five Newcastle players will also be chasing selection in the Australian Schoolboys side to tour England in November.
Pezet believes a green and gold jumper is the finest honour a junior player can achieve in the game.
"It’s a four-week tour and they’ll play a heap of games, so that’s the ultimate prize," he says.
"It’s been a while since we’ve had anyone represent at that level, but these boys continue a great tradition of Newcastle kids making those teams.”
The NSW team go into camp in Penrith on Wednesday in preparation for the start of the trials on Sunday.
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