The Blowes Clothing Cup may look out of the Parkes Boars’ reach right now. But that hasn’t stopped two of the town’s first grade players from being named among the top 20 most influential players in the competition. Here they are, the guys that have had the biggest impact on season 2017 so far.
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1 | LACHIE HARRIS (Orange Emus)
He’s been on Emus’ wing for the last season or two, turns out he just needed a chance to move in. Harris is the best No.12 in the competition, you can stop that fight.
With Nigel Staniforth shifting from outside to fullback Emus needed Harris to stand up as a leader in the midfield while the greens’ coaches decided on a full-time No.13. He’s done that and then some.
Harris’ punch through the middle of the third of the paddock has proved unparalleled and he, time and again, gets his side over the advantage line and on the front foot.
2 | ANDREW SELWOOD (Orange Emus)
In any given week so far in 2017, you could ask any punter at Endeavour Oval who has played well for Emus and one of the first names out of their mouth is invariably Andrew Selwood.
He waited in the wings for a long time, but having finally earned his chance in Emus’ back row full-time, Selwood is flourishing.
Versatile, skilful and above all tough, he plays whatever role head coach Paul Ringland needs him too and has a wonderful knack for breaking games open, just when the greens need a spark.
3 | MAHE FANGUPO (Forbes Platypi)
No.1 in this list last year, this bloke doesn’t really need an explanation. He’s Forbes’ best player and nigh on the best in the competition too.
He made the initial NSW Country squad and, quite simply, without Fangupo there’s little chance Forbes would be coming second leading into the long weekend.
4 | ISRAEL SYMINGTON (Parkes Boars)
Parkes going from scarily ordinary to very competitive in 12 months? There’s no coincidence that’s happened after Symington took the Boars’ captain-coach role.
A Central West Blue Bull as well, the fuzzy-haired back-rower is clearly a good leader and just happens to be one of the best loose forwards in the region too.
He’s coaxed a number of Parkes’ former champions back to the top grade and has brought in a couple of handy recruits as well.
This choice isn’t just about his on-field influence, Symington’s been a vital cog in the Boars’ resurgence after a turbulent 2016 season.
Yes Parkes has suffered a couple of gigantic defeats on his watch, and while they kept him from landing the No.1 spot, they’re not enough for him to drop any further down the list than No.4.
5 | SCOTT JOHNSTON (Bathurst Bulldogs)
Johnston was solid last year without being outstanding. That’s to be expected though, he was still gaining confidence and fitness after returning from a couple of years off.
This season he’s been brimming with confidence and as his performance has gone to another level, so has Bathurst’s.
His experience is invaluable, he’s probably the most reliable five-eighth in the competition and more than anything, he lifts those around him.
6 | VILIAME TURUVA (Dubbo Kangaroos)
Every time you hear or read about Roos winning, it’s followed pretty closely by how well Turuva’s played. Not bad for a winger.
Although, we think he probably should be playing outside centre. Whenever he touches the ball something seems to happen, and he’s just as strong without it.
Knows how to find the line too, he scored seven against Mudgee for goodness sake.
7 | JAKE DAVIS (Orange City Lions)
Davis is always in the mix for a list like this one, but he became a sure thing after he got hurt against Orange Emus.
Once he left the paddock, and since the Lions have been playing without him, it’s become just how obvious Davis’ influence on Orange City is with and without the ball.
With Davis, Orange City’s backline always remains a threat and he’s possibly – pound for pound – the strongest bloke in the competition in contact, attacking or defensively.
8 | JAVARN NOFOAGATOTOA (Dubbo Rhinos)
“I wouldn’t want to get hit by him”.
That’s the word of Rhinos coach Dave Stuart, it was the first thing out of his mouth when asked about Nofoagatotoa and the impact he’s had since joining the Dubbo club this season.
Not since Roos behemoth Max Ma’anelson has the Blowes Clothing Cup seen someone who naturally plays prop slot in the centres, which Nofoagatotoa’s done with ease.
One of the hardest hitters in the competition, he’s had a huge impact on Rhinos in attack too and has been a constant during the side’s somewhat injury plagued season.
9 | TOM GREEN (Orange Emus)
The only winger we’ve ever seen who actively looks for contact. He always seems to win that contact too.
That, combined with the fact he never kicks, gives Emus a huge roll-on in the counterattack and makes the greens an attacking threat from everywhere on the paddock.
10 | DAN RYAN (Parkes Boars)
Remember those two blowout losses Parkes suffered, 70-7 at the hands of Bulldogs and 101-0 at the hands of Emus? Yeah? Well, Ryan didn’t play either.
A NSW Country Cockatoo, Ryan’s influence on Parkes has been undeniable for many years, but this year he’s been the glue that brings the Boars together.
A big ball-runner, hard-hitting defender and the side’s lineout general.
Who makes up the back end of the 2017 list?
11 | ROB THORBURN (Orange Emus)
12 | CHARLIE FRENCH (Forbes Platypi)
One of two NSW Country Cockatoos in this list, French has provided Forbes exactly what the side was missing last season.
A big, strong, technically correct prop to build a scrum around.
Despite French’s obvious influence at the set-piece, his impact around the paddock and off it too can’t be underestimated.
He’s experienced, he’s vocal and he’s a leader.
13 | JARROD HALL (Forbes Platypi)
A big ball-runner, damaging defender, a superb scrummager, an outrageously good lineout thrower, a bristly character who doesn’t take a backwards step and someone who leads by example. That’s Hall in one sentence.
He was included in this list last year for those reasons and his performance hasn’t dropped off in 2017, in fact, he’s become even more influential to the Platypi’s hopes for one reason. He kicks goals too.
More than once this season Forbes has scraped through on the back of Hall’s boot and although he’s relinquished those duties now, without his pinpoint kicking the side probably wouldn’t be sitting second through eight rounds.
14 | PETER FITZSIMMONS (Bathurst Bulldogs)
15 | NICK HUGHES-CLAPP (Orange Emus)
16 | BRAD PUGH (Dubbo Kangaroos)
17 | BILL CUMMINS (Cowra Eagles)
18 | CHRIS SENIOR (Orange City Lions)
19 | LOCHIE ROBINSON (CSU Bathurst)
20 | TANIELA MATAKAIONGO (Geurie)
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
