All about tradition when it comes to Bundy Eels
A GROUP of rugby league players will continue a family tradition this weekend when they go to Rockhampton to contest the Reconciliation Cup.
Teams from the Torres Strait to Brisbane will hit the field, and for Bundaberg's squad it's a chance to repeat the success of 27 years ago when the Bundaberg Eels brought home the trophy.
One of Bundaberg rugby league's personalities, Andrew Mason, said the carnival was a great chance to not only get some pre-season match practice, but also build something more important.
"We all used to watch our uncles and fathers go away and play good, hard football together," Mason said.
"Now we've got the chance to keep that going by building community spirit through our sport."
Along with the best regional indigenous talent, some NRL stars have made appearances in the past.
Chris Sandow, Rhys Wesser, Sean Hoppe and Ken Nagas are just some of the players to take to the field.
The Eels will be aiming to go one better than last year when they were defeated in the grand final, and Corey Tanner says the players' knowledge of each other's game style will definitely help.
"We know how each other plays because 95% of the players come from Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and we play against each other every week," Tanner said.
"I think it's a pretty good team with players like Matt Templeman, Clinton Horne and Matt Tanner playing together."
BUNDY EELS
Clinton Horne
Lyal Darby
Matt Templeman
Jarrod Johnson
Willie Nagas
Matt Tanner
Josh Tanner
Hayden Mosby
Jessie Tass
Corey Tanner
Ian Ells
Tyrone Hopgood
Andrew Mason
Quentin Olive
Jared Tanner
Jimmy Pritchard
Mickey Petitt
Jeremy Gala
Nathan Sullivan
Hayden Priestly
Brendan Bramm
Kyle Laybutt
Blake Olive
Solly Little
Kane Chapman
