OPINION: Bring it back - Group 9 and 20 stars behind push to reignite Kelly Cup rivalry

By contributor Tallon Smith

It was once the jewel in the crown of Riverina Rugby League, but the prestigious Kelly Cup has been left off the calendar for the last two years.

The annual fixture between Groups 9 and 20, although dominated by the former in recent years, formed a crucial part of the local football season and helped to pick the Riverina side during some of the Division’s golden years in the Country Championships.

The fixture was controversially axed after a 52-6 triumph by Group 9 in 2022, after years of contests between the two competitions labelled uncompetitive and one-sided.

However, calls are growing louder to bring back the concept and reignite one of the most passionate country footballing rivalries in the state, with players and representative coaches leading the push.

And instead of the old Under 23s Format, they want an Open Age contest between each competition's best 17.

Perhaps the most influential and important voice in the chorus is that of Aaron Gorrell, the Coach of the Riverina team and the last coach of Group 9 in 2022.

“[It] definitely would be great to see the Kelly Cup back,” he said. 

“It’s tough to find the right place in the calendar for it, the week after the Grand Final definitely doesn’t work.

“I think it needs to be a lead up game to pick the Riverina squad, which means it would have to be early in the new year. 

“Obviously that still has its hurdles with the heat at that time of the year so [it] would definitely have to be a night game, [and the] Country Championships are normally in March, [so the question is] does a February game give you enough time to prepare?”

Also firmly behind the competition are three Group 20 players, including one who played in one of the greatest Group 9 club sides ever assembled.

Griffith Waratahs Prop and Group 20 veteran Chris Latu said that he also would definitely like to see the match return to the local calendar, and believes that the majority of Group 20’s stars would be behind the concept and help them to field a strong team.

“I reckon a quick pep talk to round up players from myself and other old heads around the comp would definitely excite players to play,” he said.

“We will be competitive, we have never really sent our best team to play Group 9 because most of the players have commitments outside of footy like church for example.

“We’ve got young players out here making a statement that would be keen to go up against quality players from Group 9. 

“Instead of making it a one match [winner] takes it all [format], it should be like State of Origin [and feature] 3 games. 

“[There’s] no point putting together a game that is only played once and all that expense [such as] new kits will be wasted.”

Despite remarkably never having actually played in the fixture, Group 20 stalwart Shan Bradbrook said that he would love to see the annual fixture return, but said timing is extremely important in ensuring its success.

“The last couple of years, there has been a Group 20 vs Group 9 game [except last year], but it is always about a week after the Grand Final, which is bad timing,” he said.

“The boys enjoy the week after the GF, plus it takes it toll on the body and a lot of people are over footy once their seasons are done and don't continue to train.

“I would love to see it return and with the talent we have in Group 20 I think we would be more than competitive, it's more about the timing in which the game is played.”

DPC Roosters forward and former Albury Thunder premiership winner Jon Huggett also threw his weight behind a return of the concept.

“100 percent I think the Kelly cup should return,” he said.

“There are a host of good players in both comps, and as long as everyone makes themselves available, it would give players from Group 20 [a chance] to challenge themselves against Group 9.

“It’s an opportunity for young stars to play with the household names of their respective competitions and make a name for themselves and display their talent, which would make the Riverina side even stronger.”

Another key perspective is that of former players who built the rivalry in its heyday of the 2000s.

Former Yanco-Wamoon, DPC and Young captain-coach Roy Jewitt said that he is definitely in favour of the Kelly Cup returning, and believes that Group selection should be viewed as an honour.

“I know bush footy is struggling in a lot of areas, but I’ve always thought representing your group is something players should aspire to,” he said.

“I played for Group 20 back in 2003 I think it was, David Barnhill was our coach, and it was a fantastic experience even though Nick Hall’s stacked Group 9 side beat us. 

“It would be a case of when’s the best time to hold it and could they do [Under] 16’s, 18’s, League Tag and Ladies Tackle. 

“I’m sure it would draw a crowd if promoted right.”

So it’s clear, current players, past players and even the Riverina coach are right behind the concept’s return next year.

A potential golden moment awaits us when Group 20 eventually ends what is currently sitting at a 12 year drought some time in the future, dating back to their 2012 triumph over their regional counterparts.

All that remains is a decision from the NSWRL on whether or not the famous Riverina showdown returns to the rugby league calendar in 2025.

Tallon Smith is a sports journalist and founder of the Battlers for Bush Footy website