Scone’s Sam Fechner showcased what being a Tiger is all about when he starred for the Greater Northern under-18s in their win over North Coast Bulldogs at Aberdeen’s McKinnon Oval on Saturday.
The Year 12 Quirindi High School student, 17, locked the scrum for the local outfit in the opening round of the Laurie Daley Cup.
He did it so well he was awarded the Greater Northern Tigers’ game ball.
Coach Darryl Rando thought he was outstanding in attack and defence.
Fechner, who plays for the Scone Thoroughbreds in Hunter Valley Group 21, was aggressive in all facets, combining some hard-hitting and stinging tackles with some dynamic running.
He also crossed for two tries.
His first was early in the second half and signalled his side’s fightback from a 12-8 deficit to grab a 14-12 lead.
His second was another short but dynamic burst.
The thud as he planted the ball over the line could be heard around McKinnon Oval.
The noise and the effort personified Fechner’s thoughts, an aggressive and silent “take that”.
Just scoring two tries in a game would have made anyone happy but to score them in the way and shape he did underlines his determination to do well; and for the team to do well.
For Fechner is somewhat new to the number 13 jumper.
“It’s my first year at lock,” he admitted after the game.
“I’ve been a dummy half… just got bigger.”
Not a great deal bigger but he has filled out into a mobile lock with strength and desire to break the line or break a few attacking hearts.
While he attends Quirindi High, he has played all his junior football at Scone.
“Been playing there since the under-11s,” he said of the Thoroughbreds’ link.
“They’ve got a good club down there.”
He’s had plenty of success, too, and won a premiership with their under-16s in the Group 21 competition two years ago.
Not playing last season was a disappointment but he’s hoping to make up for it in 2021.
It could be a double act as well for the Thoroughbreds and representative Tigers.
“That was good today,” he said with a smile of the 30-22 win over the Bulldogs.
“Loved it.”
That fullback and skipper Mitch Henderson had a big match and scored two tries in a sparkling game, too, also made winning the game ball even more enjoyable for Fechner.
He is now looking forward to this Saturday’s second round Laurie Daley Cup clash with Central Coast at Wyong’s Morrie Breen Oval on 13 February.
- by Geoff Newling
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