A little revenge is in the minds of the NSW Police team ahead of Wednesday night’s Interstate Challenge against Queensland Police, which serves as the curtain-raiser to the Ampol State of Origin Game One at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
The last time the two sets of police officers met was in Darwin in June 2019, where the Maroons won 22-12.
NSW Police Rugby League vice president Rod Sheraton said his players had been waiting for two years to even the ledger. The interstate police game was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We’re looking to turn the tables this time around,” Sheraton said.
“This team is probably the most exciting we’ve had for many years and they can’t wait to get into the atmosphere of a packed Sydney stadium.
“Out of our starting 13, there are 11 players with NSW Cup, Under 20s and even Queensland Cup experience. The two that haven’t still have Country NSW rep footy under their belts.
“So, it’s a really strong team. It’s an exciting blend of players who have been around a while with some talented, quality players who are new to the Police Force.”
The selection criteria for both NSW and Queensland is based on where an officer is currently stationed.
Sheraton said the halves will generate a lot of the attack with halfback David Farkas, who played NSW Cup for Mounties as well as Under 20s for Penrith, combining well already with five-eighth Connor O’Bierne, who is a NSW Country Under 23s rep as well as playing first grade with Toukley on the NSW Central Coast.
In the centres is former Wests Tigers NRL top-30 squad member Mathewson Johns (pictured above), who also played NSW Cup for Penrith and has Blues jerseys from the NSW Residents team and NSW Under 20s.
“He’s top quality and we’re hoping for a big game from him,” Sheraton said.
His partner in the centres is also the NSW Police captain this year – Dane Clarke.
Clarke has played Under 20s with the Canberra Raiders and Queensland Cup for the Burleigh Bears.
The man who won ‘Player of the Carnival’ at this year’s NSW State Police Championships in Tamworth last April – lock Hayden Ashcroft – is another whose wealth of experience will be vital to subdue Queensland.
Ashcroft played both Under 20s and Presidents Cup for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and was also captain-coach of the Wagga Wagga Kangaroos in Group Nine.
The Women’s Interstate Challenge between NSW and Queensland is set for Leichhardt Oval on Friday 10 June.
