With the Riverina Bulls preparing for a trial against the Western Rams in Young on Sunday, Tumut Blues playmaker Jordan Anderson has been given first crack at the vacant half-back position.
Gundagai’s Derek Hay was the incumbent half-back before he made himself unavailable for selection ahead of the 2023 Country Championships, and many conjectured that either Kyle McCarthy or Anderson would get the final nod.
With Lachlan Bristow unavailable for Sunday’s trial, McCarthy will play hooker, and with no other playmaker named on an extended Riverina bench, Anderson will get every opportunity to impress Bull’s coach Aaron Gorrell.
“The spot is mine to lose now,” Anderson said.
“They have given me a crack at it, and hopefully I play well enough to keep it.”
Anderson has been one of Tumut’s most consistent players since joining the club from Tumbarumba back in the 2018.
Known as one of the better defensive players in the competition, Anderson is also a calm and collected organiser that boasts a versatile kicking game.
He’s not one to make a fuss of representative honours, but after featuring for Riverina for the first time in 2022, he has a taste for it now, and he was thrilled to be picked in the Bull’s starting side.
“I am always happy to get a shot at something else. I don’t play footy for recognition but when people pick you, it makes you feel pretty good and I’m just happy to have the chance to play for Riverina.”
Anderson is looking forward to playing in the halves alongside Wagga Kangaroo’s playmaker Nathan Rose.
“He (Gorrell) doesn’t want too much structure, and he said, ‘play what you see, and everyone has talent there’,” Anderson said.
“We all have played some pretty decent footy, so he wants us to have a crack, and to just give it to the big fellas and the fast guys.
“I’ll definitely have a crack, but I don’t want to take a lot away from Nathan either because he is such a good player.
“I am happy to organise and get the ball out wide, but if I get a chance, I’ll give it a go.”
The 27-year-old, who lives in Tumbarumba, has travelled across to Wagga the last two Sundays for Riverina training sessions, and he said there was a good feeling amongst the group ahead of their trial against the Rams.
“The sessions have been pretty good and everyone is buying into what Aaron is wanting to do,” Anderson said.
“We struggled a bit with a few boys not being able to make it because they had stuff on but there has been about 20-something at each session and everyone has been having a go.”
Gorrell, who is leading Riverina for the first time, was pleased to have Anderson guiding the Bulls around the park.
“I think he fits in nicely, and he complements Rosey pretty well,” Gorrell said.
“Jordy will be able to take control, and he has a pretty good kicking game as well, and that should give Rosey the luxury to chime in when he needs to.
“Plus, it is definitely hard to find a half-back that wants to put his body on the line like Jordy does.”
Anderson isn’t the only Blue set to feature in the Riverina side on Sunday, with Zac Masters and Jacob Sturt down to start in the front row, while Brayden Draber, Michael Fenn, and Mitch Ivill have been named on an extended bench.
Riverina Bulls side to play Western Rams: 1 Latrell Siegwalt, 2 Hamish Starr, 3 James Morgan, 4 Tristan Eldridge, 5 Jack Lyons, 6 Nathan Rose, 7 Jordan Anderson, 8 Zac Masters, 9 Kyle McCarthy, 10 Jacob Sturt, 11 Billy Reardon, 12 Josh Ayers, 13 Royce Tout. Extended bench: Ben Jeffrey, Zac Starr, Gus Thompson, Luke Ingram, Brayden Draber, Jake Walker, Michael Fenn, Hayden Philp, Noa Vanisi, Mitch Ivill.
