ALREADY one of the most successful sides in NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout history, Walgett Aboriginal Connection is gunning for more silverware in Leichhardt this weekend.
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The 2016 Knockout kicks off on Friday in the inner Sydney suburb after Redfern All Blacks took out the 2015 edition of the tournament in Dubbo last winter.
Walgett will take on the Waterloo Storm New Generation in the first round, the official draw released at the Knockouts launch on Wednesday night, and WAC gun Trent Rose was confident his side was capable of winning a fourth title in nine seasons come Monday afternoon, the tournament’s final day.
“There's no better feeling than winning a knockout … it’s the hardest and toughest footy you will have to play,” Rose said, he and his brothers George and Matt the headline acts for the Walgett outfit.
“To win, you need to play six games, over three days.
“By the end you can hardly move, we have a strong side in a very tough draw but we hope to do it again."
The 46th NSW Aboriginal Knockout, the event is arguably the biggest cultural gathering in Australia and largest rugby league knockout in the world.
Over 130 teams will compete in the four-day event with 62 men's teams confirmed to take part in the Leichhardt running of the competition, with a staggering $90,000 prizemoney, and right to host the prestigious event, up for grabs.
After winning in 2009 and 2010, Walgett broke through for a memorable win in 2014, bringing the knockout to Dubbo last year.
The Redfern All Blacks won last year’s tournament thanks to a last-ditch try to NRL gun Jono Wright at Caltex Park.
The tournament regularly attracts some of the biggest names in rugby league, with Brisbane Broncos flier James Roberts (Bloodlines Kempsey), Gold Coast Titans pivot Tyrone Roberts (Cabbage Tree Island), Rabbitohs live-wire Cody Walker and Queensland state of origin three-quarter Dane Gagai, to name a few, Leichhardt bound this weekend.
“There's no better feeling than winning a knockout ... it's the hardest and toughest footy you will have to play.
- WAC backrower Trent Rose
The exact make-up of the 2016 WAC side is still to be revealed, with Western Division journeyman Steve Lane saying “we’ve always got a pretty side but I’m not really sure who else is lining up, Matty (Rose) keeps that kind of thing close to his chest.
“So we might get a few surprises, but I think we’ll have a side that could (win it).”
Teams from across the state are expected to flood inner Sydney, with under 17s, under 15s, under 12s and a women’s knockout to run concurrently with the men’s tournament.