Port Juniors Pay Dividends
Thursday 7th April, 2005

In 2000, The Mighty Port Kembla Blacks had to withdraw from the First and Reserve Grade competitions for the first time since 1919. A combination of financial and player problems contributed to the move, leaving The Blacks with just CUB Cup and Under 18's teams in the senior competitions.

Changes needed to be made and the club went on to make immediate plans to rectify the situation and ensure it would not happen again. There were a few parts to the plan. Build a strong sponsorship base - Done. Rebuild a competitive First Grade team - Done. Rebuild a competitive Reserve Grade team - Done. The only other component, perhaps the most important in the plan, is now starting to pay dividends.

Port identified the need to have their juniors strong and coming through into the grade teams. The first round of the 2005 competition held some promising signs for the club.

Out of the 19 players who took the field against Thirroul in the reserve grade fixture, the club boasted 11 juniors, with another (Christian Kupenga), named in the side but unable to play due to injury. The round two game against Corrimal promises to be just as locally focussed, with up to 12 locals expected to take part in the game.

Port will most likely welcome back Jesse King to the club against Corrimal. King played in Port's under 18's side of 2003 before hooking up with Wests Illawarra last season. Last year's Under 18's players, Keiran Jack and Kane Armstrong, are also likely to make their season debuts for Reserve Grade.

Add to that Victor Daly who is nearing a start and Port's "junior" core is looking healthy. Of course the feats of last season's Under 18's team are well noted, having taken out the premiership. Players from the undefeated Under 16's Port team have joined the remaining players to forge an already impressive looking squad this season, defeating Thirroul by 60-4 in the first round, with the game shortened by 10 minutes.

Of the first round 18's team, Joseph Gander and Anthony Harris (both named in the Illawarra Divisional Squad this week), came off the bench to help Reserve Grade to an important first up win.

Port Club Captain Michael Cross looks to pop a pass in Port's win over Thirroul, Round 1, 2005

Mathew Michalowski played a full game in 18's and then played a major role in First Grade's win, including making the final break and throwing the final pass to Mark Simon for the match winning try just three minutes from full time. Michalowski was joined on the bench for First Grade by Oscar Ferreira, one of Port's best players in the Under 18's last year, and Ben Carr, a long time Port Kembla player and junior who will most likely bring up his 100th Grade game for the club this year.

Add to those three Jason Sullivan, Michael Cross and Mark Simon, and the First Grade squad had six local juniors in the mix. Still to come back to first grade are Craig Simon (injury) and possibly Paul Lokys (work).

With a strong group of juniors coming through the Under 18's program, Port can look forward to a larger contingent taking up the grade spots.