THE junior Phantoms have two teams heading to the grand finals of their competitions this weekend.
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The under 12s and Viva girls under 16s have been training hard in the lead up to their premiership games at Temora.
Under 12s player profiles
Josh Davies – Loose Head Prop: Powerful runner, great defender and solid at the set pieces.
Callum Dunn – Hooker: Plays like an extra loose forward. Always making tackles and winning possession at the breakdowns.
Eliza Byrnes – Tight Head Prop: Powerful scrummager that loves to run with the ball.
Tom Scott – Second Row: First year in rugby proving to be invaluable at lineout time.
Caden Teerman – Second Row: Found his place in the team in the second row.
Ryan Ward – Breakaway: A midseason move to flanker from the wing. Plays well above his weight and won’t avoid the tough stuff.
Darcy Longhurst – Breakaway: Another winger turned flanker. Guaranteed to see him making tackles all over the ground.
Tom Allen – Number 8: Has stepped up his game to another level this year. Elusive and long striding ball runner who is always hard to pull down
Hamish Johnstone – Half Back: Provides the link between the forwards and backs with his slick passing game.
Blake McDonald – Fly Half: Great attacking weapon for the team and punishing front on defender.
Nick Manwaring – Wing: Quality finisher that knows his way to the try line. A great cover defender.
Beniel Dakunibubalui – Inside Centre: Versatile first year player that can cover any position on the field. Makes big metres.
Joseph Onley – Outside Centre: Big improver with even bigger defensive skills.
Flynn Anthony – Wing: Speed to burn in attack. Has worked hard all year to be formidable in defence.
Jonah Allen – Fullback: Guides the whole team around from fullback. A potent attacking weapon when he runs the ball. Great cover defender.
Kurt Young – Returns from injury at the business end of the year. Will provide power up front.
Nick Croucamp – Utility back: can cover most positions. Can find a hole in defensive lines and has plenty of pace.
Finley Sales – Versatile player. Can play in the forwards or backs. Always goes hard in the rucks and mauls.
Isaac Currie – First year player who adds spark as an outside backline player.
Kalem Thompson – vice captain. Season viciously cut short due to illness. This pint-sized, pocket-rocket with his huge heart will be sorely missed in the final.
Jack Graham: Had been continuing to improve each week until his season was also cut short due to a late injury. His positive nature will be missed.
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THE Leeton Phantoms viva sevens under 16s team have had a top season.
The team is comprised of a core group of players retained from last year’s team and several new recruits have taken the completion by storm.
After finishing the competition with 12 wins from 16 games (one loss and three draws), the girls have booked a spot in the grand final against Tumut.
Tumut has been the main competition for the Phantoms in 2017 and the girls are looking forward to again playing them in the grand final.
Player profiles
Felicity Allen: Plays right across the field. Creates opportunities and forms a great combination with Jenna on the left edge.
Sarah Allen: Fiery in defence. Can spark a scoring opportunity through craftily drawing opposition players around her.
Lauren Young: Hard worker who halts the opposition in the centre field.
Zoe Locke: Rookie who has come leaps and bounds. Can run and defend the centre field.
Jenna Elliott: An out and out flyer. Looks for any opportunity to streak away if given the chance.
Marni Elliott: Sound under the high ball, shows deceptive pace and solid in defence.
Sophie Anthony: Deceptive runner with a great offload. Reads the play well before it has unfolded.
Maddison Teerman: Pocket rocket. Loves running from the ruck catching the opposition off guard.
Shakiah Byrnes: All-rounder who can kick, run and defend. Will create gaps up the middle so those outside her can capitalise.