GERRINGONG BREAKERS VS JAMBEROO FC

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Hayden Buchanan made a dream debut for the Dragons as he scored a try in their upset win over traditional rivals Cronulla at Kogarah on Saturday.After getting a late call-up to the team when Mat Feagai was ruled out with a groin injury, the Gerringong Lions junior made a strong start to his first-grade career at left centre.He scored a crucial try late in the first half and also set up co-captain Clint Gutherson's four-pointer early in the second term as St George Illawarra converted a 16-14 half-time lead into a 22-14 triumph.The win keeps the Dragons in the hunt for the playoffs and after other results went their way, they are just four points off eighth heading into the final four rounds.Buchanan matched up against experienced Sharks centre Jesse Ramien but more than held his own as he notched 110 run metres from 18 runs, more hit-ups than any other back in the red and white backline.The 19-year-old Steelers junior also made 18 tackles in an eye-catching first hit-out at the top level."A lot of stuff has happened behind the scenes this week, injuries and so on, and a boy making their debut, so outstanding club effort," Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.Buchanan followed in the footsteps of Gerringong duo Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart, who each made their debut earlier this season.Stewart also performed well against Cronulla with 12 hit-ups for 102 run metres on top of a game-high 42 tackles after being promoted to the starting side in the second row. playing the full 80 minutes for the first time in his 18-game career.It has been a bumper season for Gerringong with Ashton Ward recently making his NRL debut for South Sydney - he has been selected to play his third match for the Rabbitohs in Sunday's road game against Gold Coast.Buchanan's graduation to the NRL ranks means there are now eight players from Gerringong, including Tyran Wishart, Jackson Ford, Reuben Garrick, and Kyle McCarthy, who have played first grade in 2025.The Dragons travel to Auckland next Friday looking to continue their giant-killing run.In the NRLW, the Dragons side fell to the Sharks 20-6 on Saturday afternoon.Kiama junior Maria Paseka was called into the side on the wing for her first appearance of the season and just her second at NRLW level, scoring St George Illawarra's only try.They will look to end their five-game losing streak when they tackle the Tigers next Sunday at Allianz Stadium.

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Hayden Buchanan is the latest member to roll off the Gerringong Lions production line to make his NRL debut. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has elevated Buchanan to the starting side for this Saturday's Kogarah clash against Cronulla.Regular centre Mat Feagai has been ruled out of the Sharks stoush due to a groin injury, opening the door for the 19-year-old Steelers junior to follow in the footsteps of Gerringong duo Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart, who each made their debut earlier this season.Stewart will also run out against Cronulla but Egan's season ended prematurely due to a torn ACL against the Broncos in May.Buchanan had been named among the reserves for the first time in his career last week for the upset win over Canberra in Wollongong after crafting an impressive Knock-On Effect NSW Cup campaign this year.Gerringong's Ashton Ward made his NRL debut recently for South Sydney and has been selected to play his third match for the Rabbitohs in Sunday's road game against Gold Coast.Buchanan's graduation to the NRL ranks means there will be eight players from Gerringong, including Tyran Wishart, Jackson Ford, Reuben Garrick, and Kyle McCarthy, who have played first grade in 2025.The Dragons have also announced the extension of Flanagan’s contract for a further two years through to the end of the 2028 NRL season.“Shane has played a critical role in setting the foundation for where this club is heading,” said Dragons CEO Tim Watsford.“He’s re-instilled belief in our playing group, coaches and supporters together with reiterating the privilege of wearing the Red V.”St George Illawarra have a chance to sneak into the NRL finals if they win their remaining five matches and will be fired up to take down their traditional rivals from Cronulla on Saturday. The Dragons’ NRLW side fell to the Eels 12-10 in their Magic Round clash at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.They will look to end their four-game losing streak when they tackle the Sharks at 12.45pm on Saturday before the NRL match at 3pm.

Kiama Netball Association had a standout showing at the Junior State Titles in July, with the Under 12s finishing as undefeated champions.Competing in Division Three, the team made up of players across the Kiama LGA won all 16 of their games over three days in Penrith - a remarkable feat for a squad in their first year of representative netball.“We've had a bit of success in the past couple of years,” said KNA president Michelle Gregory. “But to go through undefeated in their first rep season is a pretty amazing achievement.”Gregory credited the association’s long-term focus on early development for the team’s success.“We’ve been investing a lot of time into our players from Under 10s and Under 11s, really focusing on developing skills,” she said. “I think it’s a combination of strong club coaching and the additional representative training that’s put them in a great position for success.”The U14s team who finished in fifth place. Photo: KNAKNA also sent Under 13s and Under 14s teams to the State Championships, with both competing in Division Three and finishing fifth overall.“Our Under 13s were runners-up in Division Four last year, so they moved up a division - and to finish in the top five in their first year at that level is pretty impressive,” said Gregory.“Our Under 14s were Division Four champions in 2024, also moving up to Division Three, and they too finished fifth after three days of tough competition. "For both teams to step up a division and still place in the top five out of around 20 teams is a great result for a small association like Kiama.”The U13's KNA team who also finished fifth. Photo: KNAGregory also acknowledged the impact of former Australian Diamonds player Susan Pettitt, who has been involved in local coaching.“She runs a lot of sessions here in Kiama with the girls,” she said. “So having that kind of high-level coaching and extra resources has really helped build their skills and allowed them to be competitive at the state level.”With the 2025 KNA season now approaching its final rounds, Gregory reflected on a successful year.“We’ve got two weeks of club netball left, then finals,” she said. “It’s been an action-packed season - this weekend is our Indigenous Round - and we’re seeing continued growth each year across different age groups.”“This year we’ve seen growth especially in our cadets and senior teams, and overall, it’s been a really strong and enjoyable competition. The girls are loving their netball, and that’s what it’s all about.”Indigenous Round will be held on 9 August, followed by Kiama hosting the Netball NSW Koori Gala Day on 17 August - two fantastic celebrations of community and culture, so stay tuned for some great days of local netball.

Gerringong Lions forward Hamish Stewart admits he had a bit of a mid-year lull in his rookie season but he is now back to his best as St George Illawarra try to qualify for an improbable NRL finals appearance.Stewart turned in his best game for the Dragons in their upset win over competition leaders Canberra in wet and wild conditions in Wollongong last Saturday night.St George Illawarra displayed tenacity in the heavy rain and strong winds to get the better of first-placed Canberra 18-12.Stewart was everywhere in the second half as the home side repelled the Green Machine as he finished with 10 hit-ups for 85 metres and peeled off 20 tackles without missing any in the slippery conditions.The 20-year-old lock has retained his place in an unchanged line-up to face traditional rivals Cronulla at Kogarah on Saturday.“It’s gonna take another performance like that - respect the ball and play our style of footy. The Sharks are going to come flying at us. They’re running hot,” he said on Wednesday. “We need to put in another smart performance, it’s gonna take a good one to beat them.”A dry track is expected this time around and Stewart said even though the Sharks have pace to burn out wide, the Dragons were more than happy to experience better attacking conditions.“They’ve got a very quick side but we like to move the footy as well so it will suit us,” he said.“They’ve got over the top of us in the years prior. We know what’s at stake and we really want to get this one.”After making his debut in Round 1, Stewart has played 17 matches, missing a trip to Canberra recently with a concussion.“At the start of the season there’s not much expectation on you as a rookie but then after more and more games, you’re expected to do a bit. I probably struggled a few weeks ago to play some good footy,” he said.“But I stuck at it and trained hard and the coaches have been working with me and I feel like I’ve strung a few good games together.”The Dragons need to win their final five games to have any hope of sneaking into the top eight and Stewart said co-captains Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook were keeping spirits up as they try to pull off an unlikely late surge.“This group of boys that we’ve got is always high on energy and belief,” Stewart added.“Our two captains - Gutho and Cookie drive that. Hopefully this is a turning point and we can string a few games together at the back end of the year and push for finals.”The Dragons’ NRLW side fell to the Eels 12-10 in their Magic Round clash at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.They will look to end their four-game losing streak when they tackle the Sharks at 12.45pm on Saturday before the NRL match at 3pm.

Ashton Ward’s favourite team growing up was the Brisbane Broncos. His favourite player was Darren Lockyer, and he often wondered what it would be like to be coached by the legendary Wayne Bennett.On Saturday, 26 July, the 20-year-old from Gerringong made his NRL debut off the bench for the South Sydney Rabbitohs - and the person who delivered the news was none other than Bennett himself.“It’s a bit of a funny story,” said Ashton’s father, David Ward. “He was supposed to get a phone call on the Sunday before, letting him know he needed to come in early Monday morning to be told in person before the team meeting.”“But when the coaches walked in on Monday, Wayne asked, ‘Where’s Ashton?’ Turns out the assistant coach had forgotten to call him. So Wayne rang Ashton that morning so it wouldn’t be a complete shock when he walked in and saw he was playing first grade.”A crowd of 46 family members, friends, and supporters made the trip to Gosford’s Polytec Stadium to watch Ward debut against the Cronulla Sharks.“It was a really good turnout, especially considering Gerringong had a club game that day,” said David. “A lot of his mates couldn’t come because they were playing, but those who could made the trip. He was really appreciative of the support. We were all extremely proud - it’s a massive achievement.”One of the most meaningful moments came in the lead-up to the match, when Bennett offered Ashton some sage advice.“Wayne told him, ‘Don’t underestimate how hard it is to play just one game of NRL,’” David recalled. “‘I’ve seen hundreds of talented footballers who never got that chance. Don’t take it for granted.’”Ashton began at the Gerringong Lions at five years old and has always dreamed of playing in the NRL, but his road hasn’t always been smooth. He’s long been considered undersized by some coaches - but that didn’t faze Bennett.“I think sometimes players are overlooked because coaches have a set idea of what physical attributes they want,” David said. “Ashton’s always been on the smaller side, but Wayne told him a story earlier this year about being told not to pick a kid for the Broncos because he was too small. That kid was Allan Langer - and we all know how that turned out.”Ward played 23 minutes at five eighth in his debut, a narrow 14-12 loss to the Sharks. Despite limited time, he made his presence felt - finishing with 25 running metres, 14 tackles, and two kicks.The following week, he was named in the starting team against the Brisbane Broncos, the very team he grew up supporting. Although the Rabbitohs were beaten 60–14, Ward earned his first NRL points with a conversion and made 34 tackles, including an impressive try-saving chase-down on Broncos second-rower Jordan Riki.“As soon as he started chasing, you just knew he was going to make the tackle,” said Gerringong Lions first-grade coach Scott Stewart. “We’ve seen him do it so many times before.”Ward is the third Gerringong Lions junior to debut in the NRL in 2025, joining Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan. That makes seven current NRL players from the club, alongside Tyran Wishart, Jackson Ford, Reuben Garrick, and Kyle McCarthy.David believes Gerringong’s tight-knit culture has played a key role in their success.“The culture is like no other,” he said. “Ashton had a Friday off training recently, so he came home from Sydney and went up to train with Gerringong - just to catch up and help with a few drills. They love still being part of the club.”The South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Gold Coast Titans on 10 August, and Ashton has been named to retain his spot at five-eighth.

Only two Group 7 South Coast Rugby League first-grade games went ahead over the weekend, with the Jamberoo Superoos falling to the Stingrays of Shellharbour to end their playoff hopes.Originally scheduled for Flinders Fields, the match was moved at the last minute to Cec Glenholmes Oval, where soggy conditions turned the game into a battle of grit.Players slipped and slopped through the middle of the field all afternoon, with most finishing the game looking like they’d taken a dip in a pool of mud as heavy rain persisted throughout.The Stingrays struck early in the third minute when debutant winger Landyn Lopez crossed for the opening try. Jamberoo quickly responded, with forward Rhys Kennedy crashing over near the line just a few minutes later.Shellharbour then scored three consecutive tries: a close-range effort from hooker Colby Smith, a slick show-and-go from five-eighth Jake Horton, and a 50-metre line break from second-rower Will Latu.Jamberoo clawed one back just before half-time through Dean Watling. With the conditions proving tough for goal-kickers, the score remained tight at 20-12 going into the break.Early in the second half, both sides added a try, taking the score to 24-16. But from the 67th minute onward, the Stingrays took control. Halfback Trey Barlow set up lock Liam Henry for his second try of the day, before the Stingrays piled on three more tries to seal a 42-16 victory.Jamberoo are now out of finals contention. Photo: @SticksPix_Despite the scoreline, injured Stingrays fullback Jimmy Scott said the final result didn’t tell the story of the contest.“The scoreline didn’t really reflect the outcome of the game. It was very physical, and the wind and rain definitely made it tough through the middle,” Scott said.He also praised the team’s resilience after going a man down.“Jack Walsh McKeirnan got sent off with 20 minutes to go, but the boys dug deep and ended up running away with it. Will Latu and Colby Smith were the best on ground,” he added.In the other game of the round, the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles edged out the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets 18-12.The postponed matches - including Shellharbour Sharks vs Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs and the local derby between Gerringong Lions and Kiama Knights - will be played this weekend.

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Gerringong Lions forward Hamish Stewart starred as the Dragons upset the Raiders in wet and wild conditions in Wollongong on Saturday night.St George Illawarra displayed tenacity in the heavy rain and strong winds to get the better of first-placed Canberra 18-12 in one of their best performances of the season.Stewart played a crucial role in getting the Dragons home - he was everywhere in the second half as the home side repelled the Green Machine's attacking raids.He finished with 10 hit-ups for 85 metres and peeled off 20 tackles without missing any in the slippery conditions.The match finished at two tries all but Kyle Flanagan kicked five goals, including three penalty attempts, to delight the hardy souls who braved the weather at WIN Stadium.Ground officials closed the hill area due to the torrential rain with all spectators huddled into the three grandstands.The Dragons have kept their slender playoff hopes alive but they still need to win their remaining five matches and hope other results go their way to pull off an unlikely qualification.They opened the scoring when centre Mat Feagai crossed out wide after clever lead-up work from rookie five-eighth Lyhkan King-Tongia.The Raiders responded via centre Matt Timoko touching down but the hosts went up 10-4 from a couple of penalty goals.Timoko added a second to draw level at 10-10 heading into the break and with the wind at their backs in the second half, the Raiders looked like they would kick clear.But despite running into a gale-force wind, the Dragons rolled up their sleeves to get the win with winger Corey Allan's try in the 55th minute proving decisive."Some of them could have been looking over their shoulder thinking we have been here before, and some nightmares might have come back," coach Shane Flanagan said about Canberra's late comeback which threatened to bring the Dragons' hard work undone."But to play like that in the last 20 minutes against the competition leaders was really pleasing. The attitude is there."Some sides don't have what I've got. I definitely know I have attitude and commitment. We could do with a bit more class here and there, but we have attitude and commitment, and I know a lot of other coaches wouldn't be able to say that."

Gerringong Surf Lifesaving Club honoured six of its members with life memberships on Sunday, recognising their outstanding service to the club and the wider community.Andy Depree, Gary George, Mitchell Payne, Richard Payne, Shane Wicks and Wendy Quinn were selected by a committee chaired by fellow member Mark Booth.“The reality is that a small number of our members carry an enormous load to ensure the safety of our beachgoers and the smooth and efficient functioning of the club,” Booth said.“There could be no more worthy recipients of the club’s highest honour than these dedicated and selfless members.”Quinn, the only female recipient, admitted she initially felt unworthy of the recognition - but came to see her contributions in a new light.“Realistically, I don't have the qualifications that they do. But I think a surf club should be harmonious and welcoming - a place where people belong. And I said, I can help you do that,” she explained.“Then I looked at what they wrote and how they spoke about me in the meeting, and I thought, that’s actually everything I was trying to achieve. You don’t have to be the president or lead rescuer. "You can do small things that quietly add up, and you don’t even realise it until someone points it out.”That quiet dedication has marked her 20-year involvement with Gerringong SLSC - a journey that began with uncertainty but grew into a deeply valued contribution.“I was always involved with the surf club because my children were surfers, and we’re very beach-oriented people,” she said. Wendy being awarded 2024 Patrol Person of the Year at Presentation Night. Photo: Gerringong SLSC“Our patrol captain, Mark Booth, is so encouraging. He made me realise that you didn’t need to be the fastest swimmer or the best rescuer - that there was a role for everyone. That’s when the light went on: I can be good at this, and I can encourage others, too.”Today, she is well known around the club not only for her warmth and leadership but also for her record-breaking patrol hours - which earned her the title of Patrol Person of the Year for 2024.From welcoming new members and boosting female participation to serving as the club’s grievance contact officer, Quinn is a linchpin of the Gerringong SLSC community. And of course, there’s her famous food.“I've always been on patrols with lots of children - that’s why I started feeding them,” she laughed.“I’d make them really beautiful, big lunches, and they would say to their mums, ‘Oh, Wendy, let me go surfing at patrol and she also made my lunch'.“Food brings people together. We’re now seeing kids progress from nippers to cadets to patrol members - and they’re happy to be with us. I’m like their surf club grandma, really.”Her story is an inspiring reminder that meaningful contributions come in many forms - and that creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space is just as vital as saving lives in the surf.

Up in the rolling hills of the Illawarra region, there are many families who will be taking a moment to reflect on the significance of the horse's birthday. The horse's birthday or August 1 to many is just another day, but to some, like standardbred and show horse breeders Trevor and Julie Swan of Jamberoo, it means so much more. “In the racing industry it signifies the commencement of a fresh new season of excitement, hopes, and dreams,” Trevor said. Trevor and Julie met at Menangle trots in 1974 and married in 1976. “Julie had grown up with horses at pony club and competed at local shows and I was hooked on harness racing,” Trevor said. “I spent every spare moment training horses at Richard and Brian Hancock’s training property at Albion Park. “Harness racing has been my passion and I have been fortunate to have experienced some highlight moments in the sport.” The Swan’s farm in Jamberoo was the birthplace of many champions. “My family and I bred many winners, the best two being Australian Horse of the Year and Inter Dominion winner Weona Warrior and Australian 3YO Horse of the Year Sushi Sushi,” he said. Trevor was also one of the first involved in Artificial Insemination (AI) in Australia which commenced in the early 1990’s. “I was sort of one of the early ones when that [AI] first kicked in,” Trevor said. “I remember driving to Sydney and hopping on a plane and flying to Albury, driving to Shepparton, and then coming back home again and the vet was waiting at 6 o’clock at night to serve the mare. “So that’s how it [AI] started. It all got easier and now it just goes out in a box in freight. “Then frozen semen was allowed, and I was sort of at the front end of that too. I think I was the first to import semen from America. “And then they decided you could do embryo transfer.” Trevor occasionally got the gig when Brian Hancock was unavailable jumping into the sulky, with nearly 50 winners to his name. “My highlights were two successive Newcastle Miles and a feature at Mooney Valley,” he said.These were all behind his favourite horse Sabilize, which Trevor had a great affiliation with. “Yeah, she pretty much consumed me for the years that she was racing,” Trevor said. “She was difficult at times, but good to drive in track work and that. “But racing nights, as soon as the mobile would come out, she just wouldn’t relax.” Julie explained that it was Trevor’s demeanour and approach which solidified the relationship. “Brian said she relaxed better for Trevor than him, for some reason,” Julie said. “Trevor has a very quiet, gentle, way with horses.” Not only is the love of horses clearly evident when talking to Trevor and Julie, their humility also shines through. Julie bred a Welsh pony and named him Bilbo Baggins, and little did the Swans know that this horse would provide the first of many significant horse related achievements for his new rider. “In the late 70’s I bred a liver chestnut pony which I subsequently leased to a young boy and his family who lived in Canberra and was moving to Moss Vale,” Julie said. The young boy was Hall of Fame and champion jockey Darren Beadman.A young Darren Beadman and Bilbo Baggins with Julie Swan. Photo: Supplied Beadman won the Champion Boy Rider at the Royal Easter Show at the old Sydney Showground in Moore Park with Bilbo Baggins among a flurry of other ribbons on the show circuit. Beadman then began his apprenticeship with Theo Green who was considered the Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy of apprentice masters, joining greats Ron Quinton and Malcom Johnston and forged a successful career in and out of the saddle. The significance of August 1 for those involved in the horse industry is fostered by the dedication and generosity to not only the horse and industry, but to others; just as the Swan family has shown.

Kiama Power’s Men’s Premier Division team came agonisingly close to pulling off a surprise victory against second-placed Northern District Tigers at Hollymount Park over the weekend.It was the third time the two sides had faced off in 2025, with the Tigers taking the previous matches 73-34 and 75-56. But this time, the Power nearly flipped the script.Sitting fifth on the ladder before the game, Kiama started strong and led at every change, taking a 51–30 lead into the final quarter. But the Tigers responded with a powerful final term, kicking 33 points to run out 63–57 winners.“North probably set up a little bit differently in terms of their defence in the last quarter,” said Power committee member Anthony Grady. “That really choked us in the end - it shut down our offence. I think we only managed one goal in the last quarter. With the wind behind them, they kept the ball, peppered our goals a few times, and managed to pull away for the win.”The Kiama Power Men's Premier Division team will now have to win their remaining games and rely on other results to qualify for the finals. Photo: Kiama PowerDespite the heartbreaking loss, Grady said the match showed that Kiama could match it with one of the strongest teams in the competition, which should boost the team’s confidence heading into the final rounds of the season. “The Tigers have only lost two games in the last 18 months. They went undefeated last year and only lost the grand final. This year, they’ve only lost to Figtree, who are top of the ladder,” he said.“Unfortunately, we were just one goal short. But we know we can match it with those top teams - we’ve seen glimpses of it throughout the year. The challenge now is sustaining that level for longer periods.”With a bye this week, the Men’s Premier Division side will need to win their final two games and rely on other results to break into the top four.There was better news for Kiama Power’s Women’s Premier Division team, who snapped a seven-game losing streak in style, claiming a 39–22 win over the Tigers. In a reversal of the men’s game, the women trailed by two points heading into the final quarter before launching a dominant surge to secure the win.“It was a good fightback from the girls, particularly in the last quarter, to pull away and get the win,” said Grady. “It was a much-needed result - they were sitting outside the top four and had to win to stay in the hunt for finals.”Kiama Power’s Men’s Reserve Grade side also delivered a thrilling comeback, overcoming a 19-point deficit at three-quarter time to defeat a team that had thrashed them earlier in the season. Trailing 47–28, the Reserves piled on a whopping 25 points in the final term to seal a memorable win.“Last time we played them we lost by 50 or 60 points,” said Grady. “So, it was a great turnaround to kick off Saturday with a win. The Reserves can’t make the semifinals, but it’s always satisfying to shake up the teams still in contention.”While the Men’s Premier Division team has a week off, both the Women’s and Reserve Grade sides will be back in action at home this Saturday, taking on Figtree and Port Kembla respectively.