How a small town is turning into an NRL breeding ground
Sebastian Tan |
A medium-sized venue is all that’s needed to hold Gerringong’s entire population, but the tiny town may have produced yet another NRL star.
Former Australian and NSW centre Mick Cronin is probably the most famous name to come from the town, about a 90-minute drive from Sydney.
It has also produced players such as the Sims brothers, the late Peter Ford, Australian international Rod Wishart and Parramatta five-eighth Ron Quinn.
Now Gerringong’s Hayden Buchanan may become the next name to make an impact on rugby league.
He starred on debut for St George Illawarra, scoring a try and setting up another in Saturday’s 22-14 upset win over Cronulla.
So just what’s happening in the 4100-person town of Gerringong?
“I don’t know, something weird’s going on down there,” Buchanan said.
“It’s people like Scotty Stewart (coach), Johnny Ford (coach) and Mick Cronin.
“From a young age, they’ve instilled a certain level of discipline, toughness and competitive nature, and it just follows through.
“When I was 16 and didn’t have a licence, (teammate Dylan Egan) drove me to every single academy session.
“They’ve brought Hamish, Dylan, myself, Ashton, the four people this year from the club.”
Of current NRL players, Manly’s Reuben Garrick, St George Illawarra’s Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan, New Zealand Warriors’ Jackson Ford, Melbourne’s Ashton Ward and Newcastle’s Kyle McCarthy also came from the town.
Buchanan said he was still relishing the “priceless moment” when he scored his first try.
With about 50 of his fans watching from the stands, he strolled over untouched after fullback Clint Gutherson generously handed him the ball.
However, the 19-year-old didn’t even think he would get a call-up from coach Shane Flanagan, let alone a call the day before the game.
“I’ve been calm, frantic, but it’s really good to have it done, and honestly a bit of relief. It’s really amazing,” Buchanan said.
“I never was going to rule anything out … but I will say this year I didn’t think I’d get my debut.
“If someone goes down in the captain’s run, like yesterday when Michael Molo went down, you always have to mentally prepare as if you’re playing.”
Coach Flanagan was impressed by the teenager’s debut.
“He defended well and he’ll learn from tonight,” Flanagan said.
“At the back end, I think he was looking at the clock, because the last six or seven minutes he was really gassed.”
AAP
