Weekly news

It was a day of truly mixed results last Saturday when Colleagues took on Waverley Rugby Club for the first time in a decade. Waverley were very strong in the lower grades but could keep up with the San Pellegrino rugby the Kentwell team were pouring out.

The Judd Cup lads were the only team to get up below Kentwell, with inside centre Charlie Lockyer score all of the Blue Giants 15 points. Lockyer scored two tries, converted one and slotted a plenty in windy conditions up at Dover Heights to get it over the men from Bondi.

The most pleasing thing coming out of the Kentwell Cup match was, for not the first time this season, all tries (bar one) were scored by the outside backs. A sign the Blue Giants are playing great team rugby with the pretty boys touching over in the corners.

It’s going to be a very different opposition this week, for Colleagues first grade in particular with Petersham on top of the ladder with four from four wins. The Shamies have it over the Blue Giants in recent years, with three wins from the last four outings in the top grade. Providing some inside knowledge will be No.8 Charles McDonald (right) and halfback Luke Bryson, both former Petersham lads who found their way east after a crusiy summer down at Bondi.

• Kentwell 57 – 14

• Burke 15 – 34

• Whiddon 7 – 14

• Judd 15 – 7

• Sutherland 14 – 21

• Halligan 0 – 14

• Barbour 43 – 12

Woollahra No.3 Oval
• 12pm Colts 2nd
• 1:30pm Colts 1st
• 3:15pm Convicts v Lane Cove

Woollahra No.2 Oval
• 11am Sutherland
• 12pm Judd
• 1pm Whiddon
• 2pm Burke
• 3:15pm Kentwell

Waterloo Oval

• 11am Halligan v Sydney Harlequins

Today’s headlines:

* Weal-er dealer trashes Bondi Bentley: It has long been a tradition for the Judd cup team to host a pre-match Strategy session at Ryan’s Bar, and last Friday was no different. In between rounds of “schooie schooie moi moi’s” amateur meteorologist, Nick “Wiki-leaks” Weal, felt a sprinkle of precipitation strike his schooner arm and was immediately inspired. Sources report that the young Dome prodigy decided to pitch the brainstrust a winning formula from his home town of Moree, that is the infamous practice of “Running the Gauntlet”. Details of the plan are hazy, however club legend Benny Abrahams informs the Newsletter that the strategy is not one that is alien to Colleagues rugby, and it essentially involved “inhaling as many darts, and cans of black rats as you can, and praying like #$%* that it rains enough for a wash out”. The plan won resounding support, so much so that Weal called in a favour from the Russian Club on Bondi Rd, to “boost” a post on the Player Portal reporting that Saturday games were in fact washed out. Considering the player portals previous top post had a staggering 2 likes, the feat was easily achieved and the club rejoiced over a few sugar cane champagnes. Unfortunately for our resident Kiwi dating app enthusiast, Mike Bentley, the #FakeNews did not agree with his stomach at 10am when he proceeded to “regale” his fellow Colleagues with an itemized list of his previous night’s beverage selection and the remains of a late night lamb sandwich. Despite all this, Pundits have applauded Weal’s ploy, as it appeared to give the Dome a mental edge over the much more sober Waverley opponent, with Laurie’s men running out victors 14 spews to nil (14-7 in the traditional scoring system).

* One Hoppa gives digits, whilst other takes a righteous path: Colleagues stalwarts and local lotharios, the Hoppa brothers, usually present a united front in matters of the heart. However younger brother, Harry, was left dumbstruck last Saturday when his older brother “dragged the good Hoppa name through the mud!”. In a tell all, Harry proudly reported in to his fellow Juddies, his recent chaperoning of some fine young eastern suburbs ladies following “a quick exchange of digits” last ladies day. After reporting back to the family scoreboard, adjudicated by their mother, Mrs Hoppa, Harry was shocked to find he had just lapped older brother, Patrick’s weekly count. When investigating the scoring anomaly, Hoppa Snr confessed at the family dinner that he had refused a 4am Manly request to “Save myself for the Judd game at 10am”. As a puritan whose six pack “hasn’t seen a carb since the 10th grade”, Hoppa Snr had missed teammate, Nick Weal’s, strategy guide and instead spent Friday night doing sets of burpees whilst polishing his Blood Orange v8 Holden Ute until 2am in the morning. Experts and close followers of Keeping up with the Hoppa’s, are predicting Patrick’s 26 year tenancy at the family’s Bellevue Hill estate to be on “thin ice” following his fall from grace.

* Local scaffolding company shuts down for the weekend due to Waters damage: Local scaffolding entrepreneurs are up in arms this week having to shut down a major Bondi construction site following a “Working Visa raid” by Kentwell coach, Ben Waters. Anonymous sources report, towing the amateur Rugby line, the cunning Waters has employed good old fashioned blackmail to his recruitment arsenal, and landed a whopping 5 kiwis to swell the Kentwell ranks this week. Fortunately for Waters, the new colleagues “bros” were not up to date with the latest immigration laws, and as such didn’t realise that they didn’t ever need a visa to work in Australia, nor was esteemed local resident, President Trumbull, planning to build a wall at Bondi Junction. Asked for comment, recruit Charlie McDonald, stated “Bro, all I am interested in is hanging out with the Hoppa brothers at the Sheaf after the game, and getting that KFC bucket DK promised me if I brought the cuzzies down”. In related news, Waters also now owns the very shameful club record of fielding a Kentwell team with the least amount of GPS Private School graduates in club history. If the game on Saturday comes down to a family net-worth tie breaker, Colleague’s rugby is for the first time in a long time looking vulnerable. Fortunately for Waters, the game will be played on the rugby ground and not the ASX.

Car Next Door is a start up founded by former Colleague Will Davies in 2013. Car owners earn $2-8,000 per year renting their car out when they aren’t using it, and locals can instantly rent cars nearby from $5 an hour or $25 a day (plus 33 cents per kilometre).

Many of you will know Carl O’Sullivan, former Colleague player and long time Whiddon coach. Carl listed his 2007 Mazda 3 in 2013 and has since generated over $23,000 in net income for his car. It just seemed like a good idea.” said Carl. “It’s good for the environment, giving back to the community and make a bit of pocket money on the side.”

As a sponsor of Colleagues, Car Next Door is extending two special offers for Colleagues players, family and friends. (USE THE CODE ‘COLLEAGUES’ in the ‘where did you hear about us’ section to receive the following deals):

Waverly undoubtedly lived up to our anticipations of being a tough hit out across all grades. Standouts across the grounds were colts halfback Archie Weston, Charlie “Darren” Lockyer ran a clinic for Judd scoring all of the teams points – earning himself a Guernsey in Whiddon this week. In Whiddon Cup, Cronan Healy returned back to the type of form scarcely seen since the early Ireland International Club days seen below putting the moves on another former Colleague Dougie Brown. And club ladies’ man Josh Boulton found himself not only earning 3 points for Burke but also tore it up for 60 mins in Kentwell as well.

One of our kiwi recruits, Charles McDonald stood out in the Kentwell match with a massive effort with and without the ball declaring after the game “I just love smashing those big fellas that think they’re tougher than me aye cuz”. Well done Charles, tomorrow is another test for the former ITM Cup lock as he faces off against his old Petersham teammates – good luck Charles and all players for Petersham this weekend.

Name – Carl O’Sullivan
DOB – 14/08/1979
Team coaching – Whiddon cup
Home Town – Canberra
Years as Colleagues Player – 4 (2008-2011)
Positions Played – #10, #12, #13
Highest Team Played – Kentwell
Games Played – ?
Years as Colleagues Coach – 5 (2012 – Present )
Games Coached – ?
Previous Clubs represented – Uni Norths Canberra
Greatest Colleagues memory – I have three, all premierships.  2011 as a player (although injury prevented me from actually playing in the finals) and 2014 & 2016 as a coach
What makes Colleagues a Successful Club? – The people.  There’s great players, great coaches, great support staff and an engagement from all to work hard for collective success without bias towards status or hierarchy.  Its a fantastic club to be a part of.

Name: David ‘Wrighty / De Kock’ Wright
Date of Birth: 16/2/85
Height: 6’1”
Weight: Over
Home town: Wagga Wagga
First year at the club: 2014
Position(s) played: Front Row + 1 glorious game at No.8
Highest team played: Kentwell
Games played: Coming up on 50
Previous clubs represented: Uni-Norths Owls, Ipswich RUFC, Wagga Waratahs
Body parts strapped for games: I have to pay additional subs to assist with enormous volume of tape I use on a list of old-man ailments
Greatest Colleagues memory: Greatest (+ equally most painful) –  last year’s Kentwell GF.
Otherwise the tighthead pushover try up at Knox last year
What brought you to the club: Knew some other riff-raff who brought me along for a run, very grateful as otherwise I would’ve gone to Balmain and become a really sh*t bloke.
What makes Colleagues a successful club? (one word or sentence)
Success breeds success.

2017 Events

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

SIGN UP AND GET A FREE COLLEAGUES BEER CARD – 11 FREE BEERS

This cost you nothing! Even Minucos has done it. Have a read.

Together with the Waratahs and New South Wales Rugby Union, we’ve developed a program to support grassroots rugby and local clubs.

This is an opportunity to earn $$ for your club and we strongly urge you to get this offer to your players and supporters, and your wider club community.

Your members get a discount on their energy bills, and your club earns money. Win-Win!

Summary:
›       Each person that joins the “AGL Waratahs energy plan” will earn their club:
»      $100 donation (electricity)
»      $50 donation (gas)
»      Up to $150 annually
»      Donation paid every year they remain on the plan.
»      Current AGL customers are eligible if they join the “AGL Waratahs energy plan”.
›      16% guaranteed discount off electricity bills.
›      12% guaranteed discount off gas bills.
›      Additional 2% discount if you have both gas and electricity with AGL.

The attachment is very thorough and explains the AGL Rugby Waratahs Program in detail and provides numbers and links for questions.

Sign up online at agl.com.au/rugby or call us on 1300 AGL TAHS (that’s 1300 245 824).

Colleagues will make the short trip over to Bondi Road for the first time in 10 years this Saturday to take on the newly promoted Waverley Rugby Club. It was 2006 that these great clubs last met, with Waverley spending time in as far down as 3 division from 2007. Since then the club has done great things to not only bring themselves back up to the top grade of NSW Suburban rugby but to establish a club deep with six senior grades, colts, ladies and an over 35s teams, all of which will be running around this Saturday.

The Blue Giants are coming off a stellar Blue Rinse against St Pats two weeks ago, with the final match of the day coming down to the final play of the game, in which St Pats got held up over the try line in Colleagues corner to fall 4 points shy of victory. The Kentwell team put on an incredible final defensive effort to keep out a very large and physical St Pats side.

The Colleagues lower grades had easier outing against the lad from Strathfield, accumulating 146 points to St Pats 29. Leo Guthrie and Josh Bolton had a great day out in the Whiddon Cup match, snagging a try and 3 conversions each.

Kentwell 18 – 14
Burke 20 – 12
Whiddon 40 – 0
Judd 36 – 10
Barbour 45 – 7

Rodney Reserve, Dover Heights
9:30am Sutherland
10:35am Judd
11:40am Haligan

Waverley Oval, Bondi Rd Bondi
11:40am Barbour
12:55pm Whiddon
2pm Burke
3:15pm Kentwell

Today’s headlines:

* Kentwell favourite “Seagull” renamed the “Ibis”, aka “bin chicken” following out of character behaviour:  Scouts report strange behaviour this season from Kentwell Winger-come-Hooker, Charlie “The Seagull” Henley. The Seagull’s social media feed has shown a marked change in 6 months trading in his former pre-match ritual of 3am glasses of sugarcane champagne, for long walks on the beach and “almond lattes”. Many blame the change as the primary reason the Seagull has been left languishing at the foot of the try scorers table, following a breakout 2016 campaign. Sources close to the “Ibis” have reported odd behaviour, such the “De Kok-ing” of teammates at training, tackling in games and feasting off the scraps left over by the dashing tearaway tight head, David Wright. Whilst forwards coach, Ash Riley, welcomes the “Bin Chicken’s” new found graft, head coach Ben Waters is reportedly looking to get club stalwart, Alex Cheng, back to take a more traditional Colleague’s Hooking role. More to come.

* Police investigations continue, as Subbies captain considers charges: The biggest scandal to hit the club since Pappy last attended a Silly Sunday is set to rock the club further as the Subbies captain, DK, considers charges against Colleagues Rugby. Reports are coming in that DK has been sighted with legal counsel and the Sub Districts board, discussing the viability of a case to sue Colleagues for damages to the representative team’s season.  Colleague’s old boy Tom “TJ” Johnston, was not concerned about the “weak case” stating “Mate, if I can get KB off for the texting incident, I can get Colleague’s off anything… if the phone does not fit, you must acquit!!”.

* Missing team sheet points to wider conspiracy, as Judd cup surges to the top of table: For the second consecutive week, coach Carlos is left perplexed as he has very few players to choose from to fill the Whiddon cup 15. Rumours have surfaced that a number of “All Black Trialists” have made the pilgrimage from the Gold Coast to Manion Avenue, however, their rego sheets have not been sighted by the club secretary. Judd Supremo, Laurie Campbell, so far will not budge on his stance to either submit a team sheet, or at least stop completing the sheet with the name “Chris Knight” listed from 1 to 15. Campbell refused to comment to the reports, or at least comment anything that is fit for publication.

Car Next Door is a start up founded by former Colleague Will Davies in 2013. Car owners earn $2-8,000 per year renting their car out when they aren’t using it, and locals can instantly rent cars nearby from $5 an hour or $25 a day (plus 33 cents per kilometre).

Many of you will know Carl O’Sullivan, former Colleague player and long time Whiddon coach. Carl listed his 2007 Mazda 3 in 2013 and has since generated over $23,000 in net income for his car. It just seemed like a good idea.” said Carl. “It’s good for the environment, giving back to the community and make a bit of pocket money on the side.”

As a sponsor of Colleagues, Car Next Door is extending two special offers for Colleagues players, family and friends. (USE THE CODE ‘COLLEAGUES’ in the ‘where did you hear about us’ section to receive the following deals):

New Colleagues Club Skills Coach Matt Barlow and Kentwell backrower Dave Burnett have been appointed the coaches of the NSW Subbies Rep team for 2017. In what is scheduled as the “away” year, the NSW Subbies Rep side will play NSW Country on  Sunday June 4th in Camden and a match against QLD Subbies some time later in June. Barlow and Burnett’s last partnership as co-coaches was back in 2010 with the Sydney U16s that defeated both NSW & QLD Schoolboys to win the National Championship. Playing in that team is the now Wallaby centre Reece Hodge.

Currently trialing in the NSW Subbies squad are Kentwell players; prop Dave Wright, hooker Charlie Henley, second rower Charles McDonald, backrower Evan Culhane, half back Duncan Boyd Jones and flyhalf Dan Kelly. The team will be pick next Thursday 25th May.

2017 Events

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

SIGN UP AND GET A FREE COLLEAGUES BEER CARD – 11 FREE BEERS

This cost you nothing! Even Minucos has done it. Have a read.

Together with the Waratahs and New South Wales Rugby Union, we’ve developed a program to support grassroots rugby and local clubs.

This is an opportunity to earn $$ for your club and we strongly urge you to get this offer to your players and supporters, and your wider club community.

Your members get a discount on their energy bills, and your club earns money. Win-Win!

Summary:
›       Each person that joins the “AGL Waratahs energy plan” will earn their club:
»      $100 donation (electricity)
»      $50 donation (gas)
»      Up to $150 annually
»      Donation paid every year they remain on the plan.
»      Current AGL customers are eligible if they join the “AGL Waratahs energy plan”.
›      16% guaranteed discount off electricity bills.
›      12% guaranteed discount off gas bills.
›      Additional 2% discount if you have both gas and electricity with AGL.

The attachment is very thorough and explains the AGL Rugby Waratahs Program in detail and provides numbers and links for questions.

Sign up online at agl.com.au/rugby or call us on 1300 AGL TAHS (that’s 1300 245 824).

After a slow start to the season against Drummoyne, the Blue Giants hit their straps against Knox Old Boys in Round 2 at Woollahra No. 2 Oval last Saturday. In front of a roaring Ladies Day home crowd of over 500, Colleagues put out 8 teams against varying opposition and got up in all but 3, this included a Sutherland Cup win over Premiership club Northern Suburbs 5th grade side and a 75-12 drumming of Knox in the Kentwell Cup match.

With a lot of talk in the media about the decline in Rugby participation numbers in recent years, the 2017 season seems to be working against that trend. Not only are Colleagues boasting more player numbers than in previous years, but 7 Premiership clubs also have 5th grades sides this season, with some having 4th colts sides playing in the Redfield Cup with Colleagues 2nds Colts and Lane Cove 2nd Colts. Colleagues Sutherland Cup have also been competitive and victorious in their two ‘friendlies’ against Gordon and Norths 5th so far this season. It’s going to be a busy Rugby calendar for the Blue Giants this year.

A beautiful sunny autumn day greeted the hordes of Rugby fans down at Blue Giant Stadium for the first home game and Ladies Day of the year. With cold Endeavour craft beer on tap and delicious canapes from The Caterer, the Colleagues Ladies and Sponsors Day was a hit. And if all that wasn’t enough the Colleagues Kentwell Cup team put on a Rugby master class against the lads from the leafy north. The home side put on 11 tries from glorious running rugby, with new outside centre James Muir scoring a hat-trick.

Kentwell 75 – 12 Knox
Burke 14 – 7 Knox
Whiddon 49 – 7 Knox
Judd 7 – 10 Knox
Sutherland 29 – 14 Norths 5ths
Halligan 21 – 12 Maccabi
Barbour 14 – 26 Knox
2nd Colts 5 – 25 Easts 4th Colts

Woollahra No.3

11:30am Colts 2nd v Lane Cove 2ndColts
12:45pm Colts 1st v St Pats Colts

Woollahra No.2
11am Halligan v Convicts 2nds
12pm Judd v St Pats
1pm Whiddon v St Pats
2pm Burke v St Pats
3:15pm Kentwell v St Pats

What a day it was. Thanks to all the lovely ladies who came out and enjoyed a fantastic day of running rugby.

A massive thanks to our Ladies Sponsor Solar D, the delicious food from The Caterer and the crisp craft beer from Endeavour. Get pumped for Ladies Day #2 on Saturday 12th August.

Well done to the Colleagues Social committee for putting on the day.

A big thank you to the guys involved in a successful ladies day last Saturday. In particular Winston Bradley, Harry Aboud, Dave Burnett and Nick (Scrappy) Donlon who managed the bar. The day would not have been possible without your work behind the scene.

This week we take on St Pats at BGS. We know Pats will come out swinging across the grades, we just need to take it to them in the first 20mins and play our game from there. I’m hoping the kentwell boys will continue to show the attacking flair which brought a record win against Knox!

On the social side we finally have our Woollahra Hotel cards so if you have paid subs then please see Jon Ryan upstairs on Saturday. For those that managed to grab a card on Saturday night from the Woolly, please register with Jonny or it will be cut off and you’ll lose your discount!

Great night last Saturday boys. We will head to the Four in Hand after the game this week, remember to scan your card!

Manatee out..

* Ladies day rim job by the Beach: In an attempt to woo some fine upstanding ladies of the East, Beachy dared Subbies captain, DK, to attempt the infamous “Shane Warne” skol last Saturday night at the Woollahra Hotel. Being a ladies day favourite, the amply equipped DK happily obliged attempting to eat his schooner immediately. Unbeknownst to him, the cunning “Little Giant”, planned to steal the show by threading a rugby ball between glass and schooner stream. Unfortunately for DK, Beachy’s recently broken elbow was not quiet up to the task, which meant the only thing getting wet that night was DKs shirt, and the stitches he was sporting a few hours later. Paramedics on hand assured concerned citizens not to worry as DK “will be right for the first game of the Subbies season”.

* French Dip: Scouts report plenty of talent on and off the field at Ladies day. However none as impressive as the efforts of two clean cut  “Lés Bleu Giants”, cutting conspicuous figures as they shaparoned lost young ladies to the portable toilets throughout the day.

* Dome man commeth: Kentwell coach, Ben Waters, reportedly is set to visit an optometrist this week. Upon enquiring for the name of the “highly impressive speedster” at full back for Judd cup, coach Laurie Campbell replied that the team didn’t have a full back, and in fact played a man short the whole game to “keep things interesting”. More to come.

2017 Events

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

The Blue Giants 2017 is here and kicks off tomorrow morning at Drummoyne Oval. Like most clubs in Sydney, Colleagues have had an on and off pre-season with Sydney coming of the wettest March on record.

With all that in the mix, two full club trials were played against Drummoyne and Mosman, with the Blue Giants getting up on both weekends across the grades.

This season will see a number of new faces across all teams at the club. After Grand Final appearances in Judd through to Kentwell Cup last season, Colleagues say goodbye to Kentwell tighthead Rob McMickan (retired), No.8 James Kennelly (moved to the Walgett), flyhalf Toby L’Estrange (retired, coaching Balmain), inside centre James McMahon (retired) and charging outside centre Mitch Mansfield (moved interstate).

The Colleagues coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge of a new wave of players stepping up the grades. Already impressing the coaches this preseason has been inside centre Winston Bradley (above), young utility back Tom Harbison and backrower Nick Fletcher (right).

In one season Winston Bradley has gone from captaining the Judd Cup premiership side, to a starting birth in Kentwell Cup tomorrow. Winston has been in fine form in the trials and has very much earnt he place in first grade.

Tom Harbison played in the premiership winning Whiddon Cup side last year at halfback but has excelled so far this season at flyhalf and fullback in Burke Cup.

In the forwards keep your eyes out for up and coming back rower Nick Fletcher. Fletch was the No.8 and captain of the 2015 Premiership colts team who spent last season recovering from a knee reconstruction. Nick will runout at openside flanker tomorrow in the Kentwell Cup match.

Kick off times @ Drummoyne Oval

5th Grade v Gordon 5th : 9:45am
4th Grade: 10.45am
3rd Grade: 11.40am
Colts: 12.45pm
2nd Grade: 2.00pm
1st Grade: 3.20pm

The Colleagues Long Lunch is one of the most enjoyable rugby lunches of the year. With over 100 Blue Giants of today and yesteryear in attendance this afternoon is always a cracker to get the rugby season started.

This year our guest speakers will be former Wallaby openside flankers Phil Waugh and David Croft. They’re will be a tremendous amount of banter between these two lads as they recount stories of their playing days from on and off the field. Im sure we’ll also get some key insights to the current state and future of Super Rugby.

Colleagues players get the discount rate of $150 each.

Colts price is only $100

Click here to get tickets

Venue -Doltone House at Tatts, 3/181 Elizabeth St, Sydney

Start -1.00pm

Dress -Rugby tie (preferably Colleagues Tie, sports coat optional)

The best ladies day on the Rugby calendar is one week away. Next Saturday 29th April Colleagues take on Knox Old Boys in what will be in front of a huge crowd of wives, girlfriends, randoms, tinder matches and mates.

The forecast is a beautiful sunny day. For just $30 pre-sale tickets ladies will enjoy delicious canapés, plenty of bubbly and entertainment all afternoon.

There is also talk of a Solar D sun screen rubbing in contest for the ladies on some of the ripped rugby boys. Spread the word!

Tickets here 

2017 Events

28th April – Long Lunch

29th April – Sponsors and Ladies Day v Knox

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

Name: Thomas Harbison
Date of Birth: 05/10/1994
Height: 176cm
Weight: 76kg
Home town: Molong NSW
First year at the club: 2015
Position(s) played: Half-back, five-eight
Highest team played: Burke Cup
Games played (if known): 35
Previous clubs represented: Sydney University
Greatest Colleagues memory: Whiddon Cup premiers 2016
What brought you to the club: Jack Williams
What makes Colleagues successful: Culture

Name: Matt Barlow
Role: Club Skills Coach
Date of Birth: 5/3/1984
Home Town: Sydney
Years as a Colleagues Player: First year
Position(s) Played:10/15
Years coaching: 12
Previous clubs represented: Eastern Suburbs
Greatest Colleagues memory: Sneaking over from coaching at Easts to attend Colleagues Ladies Day.
What makes Colleagues successful: Lads on the lash

Well here we are, kick off for the 2017 season is finally here!!!

Unfortunately our preparation for this season was hampered by the unusual wet weather in March. For all the new players I ask for you to be patient as we sort out the grades, if you feel you are not in the right grade then please see  me.

This week we play Drummoyne away. Don’t let the trials fool you, the dirty reds always find new players last minute when the competition starts. All grades need to play wide and work across the pitch, the first 20mins will be hard but good defence and fitness should see Colleagues come home with a blue rinse!

After the game we will be heading to our new joint sponsor the Four in Hand in Paddington for $5.50 house beers and watch the rugby, sounds like a good weekend to me!

Manatee out…

Together with the Waratahs and New South Wales Rugby Union, we’ve developed a program to support grassroots rugby and local clubs.

This is an opportunity to earn $$ for your club and we strongly urge you to get this offer to your players and supporters, and your wider club community.

Your members get a discount on their energy bills, and your club earns money. Win-Win!

Summary:
›       Each person that joins the “AGL Waratahs energy plan” will earn their club:
»      $100 donation (electricity)
»      $50 donation (gas)
»      Up to $150 annually
»      Donation paid every year they remain on the plan.
»      Current AGL customers are eligible if they join the “AGL Waratahs energy plan”.
›      16% guaranteed discount off electricity bills.
›      12% guaranteed discount off gas bills.
›      Additional 2% discount if you have both gas and electricity with AGL.

The attachment is very thorough and explains the AGL Rugby Waratahs Program in detail and provides numbers and links for questions.

Sign up online at agl.com.au/rugby or call us on 1300 AGL TAHS (that’s 1300 245 824).

All Colleagues senior division 1 grades will play out Grand Finals tomorrow at the TG Milner Sports Ground. Not since 2011 have Colleagues been in all senior grade grand finals.

In first through third grade Colleagues will take on rivals the Mosman Whales in the championship match. In the Judd Cup it will be a 2015 Grand Final rematch between Colleagues and St Pats. Last year St Pats clinched the match at the death so our boys will be out for redemption.

Congrats also goes to our Convicts mates who take on Mosman in the Halligan Cup Grand Final.

Its going to be a huge day out at TG Milner so we need the Colleagues community out in force to drown out those Mosman softies.

The Colleagues v Mosman matches will also be streamed online. The link will be posted on the Woollahra Colleagues Facebook page. Check back tomorrow.

Buses for players are supporters will be going out and back. See details below.

Click here to download the match day program.

GRAND FINAL BUSES

To TG Milner from Woollahra Golf Course car park

7:15am – Judd Bus
8am – Whiddon Bus
9:30am – Burke, colts and supporters
12:15pm – Kentwell and supporters
From TG Milner to Woollahra Hotel

5pm – Two buses for all
6pm – One bus for all

•  3:00pm – Kentwell – Mosman v Colleagues
• 1:20pm – Burke – Colleagues v Mosman
• 11:45am – Halligan – Convicts v Mosman (field 2)
• 10:15am – Whiddon – Colleagues v Mosman
• 9:00am – Judd – Colleagues v St Pats
• Venue: TG Milner Sports Ground, vimiera Rd Marsfield.

The Colleagues Black Tie Ball will be held at Dolton House Pyrmont on Saturday 3rd September, the week after the Grand Final.
Similar to last year, the ball will be a sit down 3 course dinner (tables of 10), with premium beers like Peroni and Stella Artois served.
With this year’s ball being held a litte later in the season we will be including the end of season award presentations in the evenings formalities.

Awards will include;

Oldest & Boldest
Club Most Improved
Rookie of the Year
Players’ Player
Club Best & Fairest
The John Pappas Award
Honour Cap

BUY TICKETS

Tickets are $260 for a couple, $150 a single and $100 for Colts.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets.
Last year we had 110 magnificent men and women dancing the house down. Check out all the photos from that great night here .Check out last years photos here

Mighty Colleagues,

Here we are! Four grades in the grand final, what a great achievement!!! But the job is not over, grand final wins are always hard to win. Having been part of GF winning and…. losing Colleagues sides i know that nothing compares to the feeling of the hearing the final whistle go and celebrating the win with your mates.. You don’t know when you will get that feeling again… enjoy the build up and start thinking about your game and how you are going to personally contribute to the success on Saturday.

Everyone on the sidelines can you please make sure you are proudly wearing your colleagues gear to support the boys. Looking across and seeing a passionate crowd of colleagues supporters will help the boys lift in the game.

Just another reminder that beers will be on upstairs in the backroom of the Woollahra Hotel on Saturday night. All players and supporters welcome to get involved in what will be an awesome night!

And finally for the playing group, we will be having our end of season beers at the BGS clubhouse at 12pm sharp on Sunday. Its called “no undie sunday” for a reason… you have been warned.

Manatee out..

With finals footy already upon us its time for Colleagues fans to clean out the wardrobe and restock it with the latest Blue Giants merchandise.

We’ve got T-shirts, puffer jackets, caps, scarfs and even Colleagues Speedos, all available for purchase online with delivery.

Right: Colleagues T-Shirt $15

Click Here to see all the Colleagues merchandise on our website.

With one week of semi finals completed, Colleagues have secured Grand Final spots for their Burke and Judd Cup sides. All Colleagues sides played in semi final matches last Saturday at the David Phillips Field in Daceyville.

Unfortunately our Colties fell short in their knock out match against Petersham 14 – 10 and our Sutherland, Whiddon and Kentwell Cup sides went down to Mosman in their respective major semi finals. Thankfully those grades sides get a second bite at the cherry this weekend in the preliminary semi finals.

Knock out rugby faces three Colleagues sides this weekend. Kentwell will take on Balmain, Whiddon will play Petersham and our Sutherland side will go up against the familiar faces of the Sydney Convicts.

3:15pm – Kentwell – Colleagues v Balmain
11:05am – Whiddon – Colleagues v Petersham
9:00am – Halligan – Colleagues 5ths v Convicts
Venue: David Phillips Field UNSW, Gwea Ave, Daceyville.

The Colleagues Black Tie Ball will be held at Dolton House Pyrmont on Saturday 3rd September, the week after the Grand Final.
Similar to last year, the ball will be a sit down 3 course dinner (tables of 10), with premium beers like Peroni and Stella Artois served.
With this year’s ball being held a litte later in the season we will be including the end of season award presentations in the evenings formalities.

Awards will include;

Oldest & Boldest
Club Most Improved
Rookie of the Year
Players’ Player
Club Best & Fairest
The John Pappas Award
Honour Cap

BUY TICKETS

Tickets are $260 for a couple, $150 a single and $100 for Colts.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets.
Last year we had 110 magnificent men and women dancing the house down. Check out all the photos from that great night here .Check out last years photos here

It is with terrible sadness that we are passing on the news that Balmain’s Kentwell Cup player Holoua Tonga passed away on Wednesday morning after a motocycle accident on the way to work.

Holoau is seen here being clapped off the field following Balmain’s Kentwell Cup win over Drummoyne last Saturday.

On behalf of the Colleagues Rugby community we pass on our deepest condolences to Holoua’s family, friends and club mates at Balmain.

Giants!

Here we are for the second week of finals, for the guys that are playing this weekend this is your opportunity to dig deep for a place in the Grand Final. Grand Final matches do not come around often and I would love nothing more than to see Colleagues teams dominate next weeks game program. For those playing its potentially the last game for 2016… really start to think about the importance of this game and farking start to switch on now.. i can’t wait to get out there!

Congratulations to the sides that have made it through to the GF, opportunity to rest up this week and please head back down to David Phillips and cheer the rest of the boys that are playing.

Also a shout out to the Colties for an awesome effort last week for pulling up just short of a larger Petersham side. It was great to watch the fight in these young colleagues and we were nearly there. That blindside winger coming across to score the try was awesome to watch! The rest of the club should take note!!

Cheers,

The Manatee

With finals footy already upon us its time for Colleagues fans to clean out the wardrobe and restock it with the latest Blue Giants merchandise.

We’ve got T-shirts, puffer jackets, caps, scarfs and even Colleagues Speedos, all available for purchase online with delivery.

Right: Colleagues T-Shirt $15

Click Here to see all the Colleagues merchandise on our website.

The Blue Giants will host the Mosman Whales at Woollahra No.2 Oval tomorrow for what will be the 2016 Club Championship deciding round. With just one round to go after this weekend, in which both clubs should secure a victories, Colleagues and Mosman have just 85 points between them.

For either club to take out the coveted shield, they would need to win at least two of four lower grade matches plus the all important Kentwell Cup match between 1st placed Mosman and 2nd placed Colleagues. That or loose first grade and win all other grades.

Also to make this sunny Saturday even more delectable for Sydney rugby fans, it’s also Colleagues Ladies Day.

Colleagues and Mosman have been the inform clubs across the grades this year in division 1 with all teams well in the top 4 of their respective grades. All matches will be hotly contest but no doubt the biggest challenge for the home side tomorrow will be the 3pm Kentwell Cup fixture. Colleagues went down to Mosman in the first round and have had up and down performances since then. Mosman have been playing consistent rugby this season in the top grade, only dropping their round one match against Balmain.
Make sure you get down to Blue Giant Stadium for what will be a terrific afternoon of suburban rugby.
Kick off times vs Mosman at Woollahra No.2 Oval
• Kentwell 3pm
• Burke 2pm
• Whiddon 1pm
• Barbour (Woollahra No.3 Oval) 12:45pm
• Judd 12pm
• Sutherland 11am
• Halligan 9:45am

As most Blue Giants would know, Colleagues is a club blessed with good looking blokes and quality depth across the grades. And in last Saturday’s rescheduled match between Colleagues and St Pat’s that club trait was once again shown to be spot on.

With a plethora of players’ unavailable, club favourite and usual Whiddon Cup flyhalf Tom Mullany not only made the double jump from third to first grade, he took out the Kentwell Man of the Match honour for his standout performance in their nail bitting two point win over a very tough St Pat’s side.

Desperate for the win to lock Colleagues spot in the top four, Mullany, running at insider centre in his first Kentwell match, had a hand in each of the home side’s tries and knocked the ball loose as the Pats No.8 dove over the try line in what would have been the deciding try for the bad guys. Great effort Mull!

The second ladies day is here and the sun will be shinning.

Jump on the facebook invite and get the Wives, girlfriends, randoms, tinder matches and mates to what should be another ripper of a day.

Ladies day is not a success unless every colleague brings at least 2 chicks! Get swiping and inviting!!

The Colleagues Black Tie Ball will be held at Dolton House Pyrmont on Saturday 3rd September, the week after the Grand Final.
Similar to last year, the ball will be a sit down 3 course dinner (tables of 10), with premium beers like Peroni and Stella Artois served.
With this year’s ball being held a litte later in the season we will be including the end of season award presentations in the evenings formalities.

Awards will include;

Oldest & Boldest
Club Most Improved
Rookie of the Year
Players’ Player
Club Best & Fairest
The John Pappas Award
Honour Cap

BUY TICKETS

Tickets are $260 for a couple, $150 a single and $100 for Colts.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets.
Last year we had 110 magnificent men and women dancing the house down. Check out all the photos from that great night here .Check out last years photos here

2016 Events

6th August  – Old Colleagues Day v Lindfield

3rd September – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

Just a quick mumble, massive game this weekend. Ladies day and club championship on the line against the Mosman sperm whales! Remember chicks dig winners so extra motivation to rip in.

Remember we are hosts not guests on ladies day. Everyone please put in around the ground – pour champagne, pick up rubbish, hand out food and help pack up. With such a massive club of great blokes we should have enough hands on deck to give a hand!

Manatee out