June Newsletter- PDRL All Stars
The 2023 PDRL All Stars match was played on Sunday 2nd July 2023 in perfect conditions for Rugby League at Redfern Oval. The match featured the PDRL All Stars and Indigenous All Stars.
Both sides had prepared well for the contest with excitement building pregame. For the players this was an opportunity to represent their family, culture as well as celebrate the game of PDRL.
On the field, the match was an incredible display of PDRL talent with both sides wrestling momentum back and forth during the contest. In a stunning finish, the final score finished 22-20 with the Indigenous All Stars prevailing with a last minute conversion from Jaylen Martin.
Indigenous All Stars leader and PDRL legend Billy Bussell was proud of his team-mates for their commitment and passion as they overcome the odds to win the game. Billy lifted the shield as the team celebrated winning the 2023 All Stars match. For everyone involved this was an important event, symbolising the importance of culture, respect and friendship. Billy and his incredible team-mates will remember this game for many years to come.
Congratulations to all of the players, members and officials involved in the PDRL All Stars match. This contest continues to grow each year and is a fantastic celebration as we head into NAIDOC Week.
June Newsletter (continued)- Sydney Roosters Visit
Thank-you to the Sydney Roosters Football Club and to Community and Participation Manager Claire Reed for hosting the PDRL Sydney Roosters.
This was an incredible experience for PDRL, with a complete tour of the Roosters facilities including their historic new stadium. Touring the locker-rooms, gymnasium and recovery centre gave the group an insight into the world of professional rugby league.
The highlight of the day was the opportunity for the group to meet NRLW and NRL players as well Head Coaches John Strange and Trent Robinson. The entire NRLW group were amazing including superstars Millie Boyle, Bridie Parker and Olivia Kernick (just to name a few) as they spent time learning more about PDRL and our incredible competition. Their excitement for PDRL Rugby League was truly humbling. The NRL squad were also a big hit on the day, with Brandon Smith, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and James Tedesco just some of the players that connected with our group, sharing plenty of laughs after training.
Thank-you again to the club and Claire Reed for organising the event, NSWPDRL value our friendship and partnership and wish the club nothing but success in the future.
June Newsletter (continued)- NSWPDRL Round 4
The PDRL season continues to roll on with Round 4 featuring some incredible matches. This round saw the undefeated Newtown Jets take on foundation club South Sydney Rabbitohs, while the Wests Tigers continued the search for their first win of the season against the Sydney Roosters.
The Newton Jets are quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town as they continue their incredible run towards the 2023 premiership. The Jets put on an incredible display against the Rabbitohs, claiming another two points with the final score 32-14. The crowd were entertained from start to finish with Moceidreke finishing with a career performance after a hat-trick of tries. The Rabbitohs fought the entire contest with some impressive moments from Edwards and Fornusek in a beaten side.
Many PDRL pundits have been predicting the Wests Tigers would claim their first win of the season and they were correct! The Tigers far too strong for the Sydney Roosters taking the win 26-16. The Tigers have been slowly building into the season but the injection of new signing Vella was just what the side needed, with an incredible hat-trick of tries in his debut. The Roosters continued to push until the final minutes with Australian international prop Eddy Sharp bringing down the house with his own hat-trick.
Next on the schedule is the Indigenous All Stars taking on the PDRL All Stars. The representative fixture will be played at Redfern Oval on Sunday 2nd July. While Round 5 of the PDRL Cabra Cup will be held on Sunday 23rd July. Plenty of PDRL action ahead, we can’t wait to see you there!
June Newsletter (continued)- NSWPDRL Round 3
As we welcome in the winter months PDRL continues to shine. Round 3 saw the Newtown Jets and Wests Tigers do battle, as Wests chased their first win of the season. And in the second match, last start winners South Sydney Rabbitohs faced last years premiers the Sydney Roosters.
It was a sombre day for most however with the recent passing of PDRL legend Bill Bussell’s mother “Aunty Kay”. Both games held a minute silence in honour of one of PDRL’s greatest supporters.
The Newtown Jets continue to put PDRL on the map with another clinical performance to maintain outright first position on the ladder. The first half was a tight contest with the Jets holding a narrow 12-0 lead into halftime against the Wests Tigers. The Tigers were unlucky not to put some points on the scoreboard in the first half and it was anyone’s game coming into the last 20 minutes. In a 32-10 final score, the Jets ball movement around the ruck proved too much in the second half despite a valiant effort from the Tigers.
Arch rivals the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs then put on a show in the second game. The Sydney Roosters took advantage of some early opportunities to hold a 16-0 lead at half time. Led by Captain Joel Pragnell, the second half was an absolute war between the two sides. George Tonna, Che Fornusek and Billy Bussell giving it everything they had. The final score finished 20-4, however Rabbitohs debutant Ryan Cutler stole the show with a 60m runaway try to end the game.
The PDRL sides will be back in action on Sunday 18th June for Round 4. We can’t wait to see you there!
May Newsletter (continued)- NSWPDRL Round 2
PDRL footy was back in action at New Era Stadium in Cabramatta. Round 2 saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers do battle, as both teams chased their first win of the season. And in the second match, first round winners Newtown Jets faced last years premiers the Sydney Roosters.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers clash was fierce as both teams were desperate to clam their first two points of the season. PDRL founder, Australian representative and legend of the sport George Tonna turned back the clock as he produced a Man of the Match performance for his beloved South Sydney. The clever veteran’s hat trick of tries was the difference between the two sides as the Rabbitohs took the win 16-12.
The Newtown Jets were in control from start to finish against the Sydney Roosters. The Jets quickly skipped out to a 10-0 lead early in the first half, however the Roosters hit back with a try before halftime to keep the game close. The second half was a battle between two of the in form sides of the competition, however late tries to Fred Moceidreke and Joe Egan secured the 22-8 win for the Newtown team.
The PDRL sides will be back in action on Sunday 4th June for Round 3. If you’re a local that loves your rugby league, get down to New Era Stadium and watch two outstanding games of football. This season is set to be one of the best yet for NSWPDRL.
May Newsletter (continued)- City Country Origin
The City Country Origin clash was something to remember! Both sides put on an incredible display of Physical Disability Rugby League in front of a vocal crowd at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Australian Captain and City Origin star Bryce Crane was a standout performer, scoring a hat-trick of tries and leading his side to victory 16-10. Both sides had incredible contributions, with Rylan Gaudron showing his pace for Country while new recruit Anthony Agius showing his skills around the ruck for City. The crowd were following every last play, with City denying Country on multiple occasions at the death to take the win. Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, managers and committee members that helped put together this incredible event. And to our sponsors including NSW Rugby League thank-you for your ongoing support and helping to growth this game that we all love!
For the full Match Report from Margie McDonald at NSW Rugby League, visit this link.
For Match Highlights from NSW Rugby League, visit this link.
April Newsletter- NSWPDRL Round 1
The PDRL season is finally underway! Round 1 was a special but sombering moment for everyone in the association, with PDRLA Chairperson Paul Tubridy paying tribute to the late Kyle Schaberg. Both games held a minute silence and all of the players gave everything they had on the field to show their appreciation and love for their mate.
The Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers opened the season with a physical clash. Rylan Gaudron started the season with a bang, racing 100m to score the first try. The Roosters managed to take back control of the match with some impressive defensive moments along the way. Roosters took the two points on the day with a 14-4 victory over the Tigers.
The Newton Jets faced the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the final Round 1 clash. Both teams still building their combinations early in the match after a long pre-season. Throughout the match both teams showed their ability with ball in hand but it was Bryce Crane with a two try performance that helped guide the Jets to their first win of the season 16-8 over a resilient Rabbitohs side.
March Newsletter- Come and Try Event
The final month of preseason is complete after another successful “Come and Try” event held at Taren Point Junior Rugby League Club. The PDRL Sydney Roosters and PDRL Newtown Jets were on show with some brilliant performances on the day. The Jets are building nicely for the season ahead with a 36-22 win on the day, but PDRL was again the biggest winner!
The final NSWPDRL draw was released with a blockbuster Round 1 scheduled for Sunday 30th April. To launch the season, the Wests Tigers will face last year’s Premiers the Sydney Roosters, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the mighty Newtown Jets.
Excitement continues to build around the competition with several training days scheduled for Sunday 16th April and Sunday 23rd April. If you know anyone that would like to participate, it is not too late! Get in touch today!
February Newsletter- Come and Try Event
Preseason is well underway with players participating in a range of training sessions as we prepare for the 2023 season. A key highlight from February was the success of the recent “Come and Try” event held at Lidcombe Oval as part of an incredible rugby league carnival. A number of existing players participated in the event and we also welcomed several new faces as fans at the Oval were treated to a tough contest between the Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers. The Tigers were successful on the day but so too was NSWPDRL. Another great event, showcasing our incredible sport. If you know someone that would like to get involved in PDRL, we have several more “Come and Try” events in March and April. Let’s continue to build this sport together!
