Razorbacks revealed: Group 20 names first senior squad in three years for Kelly Cup clash

In Short

• The Return: Group 20 has named its first senior representative squad in three years to take on Group 9 at Yenda’s Wade Park on February 14.

• Selection Surprises: The Griffith Waratahs dominate with six players selected, while 2025 Grand Finalists Hay Magpies have been controversially omitted from the 19-man roster.

• Halves Headache: With Shan Bradbrook unavailable and key stars moving interstate, coach Ben Jeffery admits the playmaking combinations remain "unknown" heading into pre-season training.

Group 20 Rugby League has unveiled its first senior Razorbacks team in three years ahead of next month’s Kelly Cup representative clash against Group 9 in Yenda.

The 19-man squad, posted to Facebook at around 2am on last Sunday morning, features players from six of the ten clubs within the competition ahead of the match set down for Wade Park on February 14.

In terms of players selected, Griffith Waratahs lead the way with six players selected, including co-coach Willie Lolohea and star fullback James Girdler.

Three other clubs will supply three players, in defending premiers DPC, Leeton and Griffith Black and Whites, while two players from both Yanco-Wamoon and Tullibigeal-Lakes United will also form part of the squad.

One of the most interesting selection storylines was the decision not to name any Hay players in the team, after the Magpies reached the club’s first Grand Final in 30 years last season.

Several players in the team produced strong showings in 2025, particularly during the finals, including outside backs Brad Pocock, Kynan Headon and Rex Rokosusu.

Fellow clubs West Wyalong, Yenda, and returning reserve grade side Narrandera also had none of their players selected, however Hay remains the only 2025 finalist with no squad members.

Group 20 Coach Ben Jeffery said that the club’s two best players from last season, reigning Ray Thorpe Medallist Ben Arandt and hooker Will Barnes, would have been among the first players picked if not for their departure to join Toowoomba Brothers over the off-season.

“The players that would have definitely been in the team were Barnesy [Will Barnes] and Ben Arandt, and they’ve obviously moved away up to Toowoomba,” he said.

“There’s decisions and different stuff that goes into it, but they’re definitely two guys that would have 100 percent been in there if they were still here.”

Another interesting element of the squad selected is the lack of two first-choice halves in the team after Leeton star Shan Bradbrook notified selectors he would not be available for selection.

While three-time Ray Thorpe Medallist Jaden Kelly headlines the playmaking department as one of the first players selected, only Waratahs star James Girdler, who is expected to play at fullback, has played regular football in the halves.

Jeffery said that while he is still thinking about which combination he will run with, it is entirely possible that he may bring in a player from outside the original squad.

“That’s something that we’re going to have to decide, it’s only a squad and if we’ve got to drag someone in, we’ll drag someone in, that's fine,” he said.

“Obviously we’re unsure of who will be available and all those sorts of things, and there’s different dynamics into picking teams and squads, and like I said, who’s to say a few guys don’t go down in a bit of pre-season training and we’ve got to drag in three or four guys.

“These things are unknown and that’s why it’s a squad.”

As for the loss of Bradbrook, who was at the forefront of potential halves options, Jeffery said he will be hard to replace.

“Shannon’s an experienced player and he would have been really good alongside Jado [Kelly], they’re two guys there that can manage a game for you,” he said.

“Obviously we’re going to have to figure that position out.”

Overall, Jeffery said that he is happy with the squad he has selected from the available players, with a particular focus on the blend of youth and experience.

“The mix of youth and experience, you’re definitely going to need it, you’re going to need the energy of the younger guys and the fitness, and you’re going to need the experience of the more senior guys that can continue to try and get the job done,” he said.

“We’re going to have a few training runs before the game, and wherever works best we’ll go with.

“Hopefully everybody is available, things might pop up where people aren’t available and that’s why we pick a squad and it’s not finalised.”

FULL GROUP 20 SQUAD: James Girdler (Waratahs), James Tafiti (Leeton), Chaise Sergi (DPC), Billy Dickinson (Leeton), Ulu Akolo (Waratahs), Jaden Kelly (TLU), Guy Thompson (DPC), Nathan Morris (TLU), Elvis Nauer-Wood (Waratahs), William Charles (Griffith B&W), Jon Huggett (DPC), Uli Oti-Lahood (Yanco), Jim Dabea (Yanco), Beniel Dakunibubului (Leeton), Willie Lolohea (Waratahs), Sina Tatofi (Waratahs), Eseroma Nawaqa (Griffith B&W), Sirelli Vulaono (Griffith B&W), Tupou Uhi (Waratahs). Coach: Ben Jeffery (DPC).