In Short

• Squad Overhauls: Both Group 9 and Group 20 have made massive late changes, with nine total players withdrawing from the men’s representative squads.
• Pocock’s Debut: Hay Magpies star Brad Pocock earns a shock late call-up for his first rep appearance, set to debut in an unfamiliar position on the wing.
• Match Times: Action kicks off at Wade Park, Yenda tomorrow, with the Women’s clash at 4:00 PM followed by the Men’s feature at 5:30 PM.

Both Group 9 and Group 20 have made wholesale changes to their teams ahead of tomorrow’s Kelly Cup clash at Wade Park in Yenda.

Four players have been called into the Group 9 team from outside the original squad after five team members withdrew from the 18-man side announced late last month.

Fullback Daniel Foley, winger Vili Cerei, centre John Downes and interchange forward Waratana Hartley have been called into the Gladiators team to replace Mat Lyons, James Morgan, Hayden Philp, Shane Hannam and Joe Ward.

The changes have also meant shuffles in the line-up, with Cody Hodge moving from fullback to centre, and Simione Naiduki elevated to starting front row from the bench.

Meanwhile, Hay flyer Brad Pocock and Leeton enforcer Brandon Catlin have been called into the Group 20 team after the withdrawal of four squad members in Ulu Akolo, Sina Tatofi, Eseroma Nawaqa and Tupou Uhi. 

After the shock non-selection of any players from the Grand Finalist Magpies in the initial team, Pocock said he was very happy to receive the call-up from coach Ben Jeffery.

“I’m pretty stoked about it to be honest,” he said.

“I thought I played pretty good [last year] anyway, there wasn’t many people in these sort of positions that I would say beat me on any day through the games that I did play, so the selections did surprise me a little bit.”

In by far the best season of his career, Pocock thrived at the Magpies in 2025, playing a central role in the team’s run to its first top grade Grand Final in 30 years.

However, after spending the whole of last season at centre, a new challenge awaits him on Saturday, when he will play on the wing for the Razorbacks.

“I’ve never played wing in my life so it will be interesting,” he said.

“I played centre last year for the Magpies, but it’s not really my position either, I get stuck a lot, a lot of people try and get on the outside of you rather than running over you.

“To be honest I’ve always entertained the idea that wing would be pretty well suited to me, I love catching the ball.

“I never got to run back a kick return or anything like that, and that’s the sort of stuff I thoroughly enjoy, and obviously in attack, playing AFL before, [when it comes to] kicks, I generally start licking my lips over them.

“It’ll be interesting, I’ll definitely enjoy it, that’s for sure.”

Though he has previously played interleague Aussie Rules at a junior level, the call-up marks the first time that time Pocock will play representative rugby league, with the talented winger saying he was eager to make the most of the opportunity to make sure his mates know he is playing higher level footy.

“I’ve never played Group 20 representative, because I didn’t play any juniors,” he said.

“Senior rep doesn’t really happen that often, so I jumped at it.

“I got into one of my mates and said I can’t wait to wear my Group 20 rep gear to school on Monday, because that’s what they used to do when we were younger.”

On the women’s side of things there have also been a number of changes to both teams.

Scarlett Wallace, Taylah Axtill and Sophia Kelsey have withdrawn from the Group 20 team, with Samantha Simpson and Jessie Carter coming into the side.

Carter was initially thought to be ruled out after recent surgery but will take her place in the line-up.

Group 20 Women’s assistant coach Kelly Pauls confirmed that the team may also call in an extra player before the match.

Meanwhile, Maisy McCrone was not named in Group 9’s final team list after being picked in the original squad.

The rest of the Group 9 team is identical to the one named two weeks ago.

The women’s game will begin at 4pm, followed by the men’s clash at 5:30pm.

Full Kelly Cup Teams

Group 9 Men’s Team: 1. Daniel Foley (Junee), 2. Vili Cerei (Albury), 3. Dakota Ruta (Wagga Kangaroos), 4.Cody Hodge (South City), 5. Gabriel Gul (Gundagai), 6. Paul Karaitiana (Albury), 7. Derek Hay (Gundagai), 8. Simione Naiduki (Wagga Kangaroos), 9. Wilson Hamblin (Gundagai), 10. Nikola Sovatabua (Cootamundra), 11. John Downes (Wagga Kangaroos), 12. Cleveland McGhie (Wagga Brothers), 13. Mitchell Bennett (South City), 14. Kyle McCarthy (South City) 15. Faafetai Vaavale (Cootamundra), 16. Waratana Hartley (Wagga Brothers), 17. Brody Tracey (South City). Coach: Blake Dunn (Wagga Brothers)

Group 20 Men's Team: 1. James Girdler (Griffith Waratahs), 2. James Tafiti (Leeton), 3. Chaise Sergi (DPC), 4. Billy Dickinson (Leeton), 5. Brad Pocock (Hay), 6. Ben Jeffery (DPC), 7. Jaden Kelly (TLU), 8. Elvis Nauer (Griffith Waratahs), 9. Nathan Morris (TLU), 10. Guy Thompson (DPC), 11. William Charles (Griffith Black & Whites), 12. Jon Huggett (DPC), 13. Ulai Oti-Lahood (Yanco), 14. Sireli Vulaono (Griffith Black & Whites), 15. Jim Ratulolo (Yanco), 16. Beniel Dakunibubului (Leeton), 17. Brandon Catlin (Leeton). Coach: Ben Jeffery (DPC)

Group 9 Women’s Team: 1. Abbey Flanagan (Gundagai), 2. Kate Foley (Junee), 3. Josey Hoey (Young), 4. Alicia Haisell (Temora), 5. Abbey Field (Junee), 6. Kassie Hiscock (Estella), 7. Anabelle Willis (Junee), 19. Deanna Smith (Gundagai), 9. Milly Lucas (Estella), 12. Jorja Brennan (Estella), 11. Caitlin Blackford (Young), 13. Ivy Merlehan (Estella), 8. Emma Hickey (Junee), 14. Shania McKinnon (Young), 15. Dana Seward (Estella), 17. Keyarna Merritt-Wedge (South City), 10, Charlotte Gray (Young), 16. Claire Foley (Junee). Coach: Damian Willis (Junee)

Group 20 Women’s Final Squad: Ellie Darlow (Hay), Janae Downey (West Wyalong), Olivia Downey (West Wyalong), Amie Fazekas (Yanco), Wendy Gonevulavula (Hay), Bobbi Goolagong (Griffith Black & Whites), Monique Higgins (Yanco), Zoey Ingram (Narrandera), Annie James (Yanco), Olivia Light-Wate (Narrandera), Christine McDonald (Yanco), Falesiu Chauncy-Moli (Griffith Black & Whites), Madison Morris (TLU), Lina Smith (Griffith Waratahs), Larissa Sorenson (Hay), Ashley Sterchow (Hay), Hannah Stewart (Hay), Claire Strachan (Yanco), Lily Weymouth (Hay), Samantha Simpson (Yanco), Jessie Carter (Hay). Coach: Jay Little, Assistant Coach: Kelly Pauls