THE PATHWAY from grassroots rugby league to the NRL is long and demanding, but two mates from the Hunter recently took another important step along that road.
Port Stephens juniors Patrick Slade and Charlie Barnes have been close friends as well as teammates, coming together in last year’s Northern Hawks Under-19s side coached by Newcastle Knights legend and current Hawks first grade mentor Steve Simpson.
That friendship was set aside for 80 minutes recently when the pair found themselves on opposite sides of the field in a NSWRL Under 21s Jersey Flegg Cup fixture at the Sydney Academy of Sport; Slade in the maroon and white of Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and Barnes in the red, white and blue of the Sydney Roosters.
It’s a significant competition to be involved in, widely regarded as the toughest breeding ground for young players on the cusp of first-grade football.
But at this stage of their careers it’s a step, not a destination, and you can be sure the two friends would have had plenty to say to each other about it afterwards.
Both rookies came through Hunter Sports High School before converging at the Northern Hawks.
Slade is a local product through and through; a Nelson Bay Marlins junior who represented his club through to Under-17s before making the move across to the Hawks Under-19s squad.
Young gun Patrick has since earned a place in Manly’s system as a versatile outside back.
Barnes, a promising forward, has travelled a longer road, starting with the Dungog Warriors before moving to Raymond Terrace Roosters for first division and working his way through the Newcastle Knights junior representative program before impressing club officials at Bondi.
The tough tackling Barnes claimed bragging rights – but only just.
Manly led 22-8 at the break before the Roosters stormed home to win 44-20, giving the two mates very different halftime and fulltime experiences to compare notes on.
Northern Hawks President Andrew Chapman told News Of The Area that the whole Hunter community would be watching their progress closely.
“We’re delighted for both Patrick and Charlie, but they’d be the first to tell you they’ve still got a long way to go,” revealed Chapman.
“The Jersey Flegg Under 21 series will test them every week and that’s exactly what they need.”
By Chris KARAS
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