Butcher Boys backs sure to test Goannas

[Pumba]

Byron Warren sparks Central Charlestown Butcher Boys

Byron Warren sparks Central Charlestown Butcher Boys
NEIL GOFFET

IF you blink and miss the electrifying speed and sublime skills of Central Charlestown fullback Byron Warren, chances are you will hear him.

The normally quietly spoken 21-year-old, who works as a development officer for the Newcastle Knights, is anything but lost for words when he gets onto the rugby league field.

Blessed with blinding pace and a sixth sense for the game, Warren knows where to be and when to get there.

His form has been a major factor in Central's charge to their first semi-finals campaign since 1988.

He has played most positions in the backline since he was a youngster but feels most at home wearing the No.1 jumper.

From the back of the field the wiry Warren can read the game and bark orders at his teammates, telling them where to be in the defensive line.

He can also let them know when they've pulled off a big hit.

His trademark "woo hoo" can often be heard on the Passmore Oval hill when one of the Butcher Boys cuts down an opponent.

"You've got to be a bit of a talker when you're at fullback," Warren said. "I have to direct them where to be in the line because it saves me trying to catch them when they get through."

Recognised by the Knights as a talented teenager from Nyngan, Warren moved to Newcastle aged 18 to play in Newcastle's SG Ball team in 2005.

He missed the 2006 season because of a shoulder injury and shared his time between the Knights Jersey Flegg team and Lakes United's first-grade side last year. Having graduated from the Knights junior system, Warren joined Central this season but said their link with the Knights was only part of the reason he left Cahill Oval.

"The main reason for joining Central was to have a crack at playing my position, which is fullback," he said.

"At the Knights I played centre and wing, and I played on the wing at Lakes last year because Tommy Ryan was fullback and he's an excellent player.

"But my cousin [Beau Simpson] plays at Central and a few of the boys from the Flegg side like Mat Cooper and Ainsley Coxsedge are also here, so it's been good fun."

Warren started the season in the Knights NSW Cup team, and, while he was grateful for the opportunity, it cost him the chance of playing in the Newcastle representative side.

"My goal next year is to try to force my way into the Newcastle team and see if anything comes from that," he said.

Herald

 

[Pumba]

Butcher Boys backs sure to test Goannas
BY NEIL GOFFET

CESSNOCK coach Todd Edwards is wary of Central Charlestown's star-studded backline heading into today's Newcastle Rugby League qualifying semi-final at Cessnock Sportsground.

Any coach in the competition would have concerns about trying to contain the Butcher Boys backs, but Edwards has first-hand experience because he used to coach them.

Edwards was assistant to Phil Williams as coach of the Newcastle Knights S G Ball team in 2005 containing Byron Warren, Mat Cooper and Justin Apthorpe.

Warren is in scintillating form at fullback for Central, Cooper controls the attack on the left edge at centre and Apthorpe, or "JJ" as he is better known, is dangerous on the right wing.

The talented trio form a lethal combination with former Knights and NSW Waratahs speedster Milton Thaiday at right centre and classy halves Scott Briggs at five-eighth and halfback Chad Solman.

"Briggsy and Milton are always dangerous, and Byron at the back," Edwards said.

"I've had a fair bit to do with blokes like Coops, Byron and JJ at the Knights and they're all very good players.

"They're very well trained and skilled, and with a guy like Briggsy there, anything can happen. But if we're on, I'm confident we can do the job."

Edwards also coached Central back-rower Ainsley Coxsedge in the Ball team, but opposing coach Wayne Richards said the youngster was ruled out at training on Thursday night due to a neck injury.

"Ainsley has a bulging disc problem in his neck. His place in the starting team will be taken by Nathan Hollingsworth," Richards said.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure of the bench yet because he only pulled out last night."

Both teams have been blessed by a lack of injuries this season.

Central are at full strength except for the absence of Coxsedge.

Cessnock have been without star centre Gavin Quinn since round six.

"We've been pretty lucky, but we've also been very big on our injury management this year so we don't lose too many players," Edwards said. "Aside from Quinny, we're at full strength."

Cessnock have the home-ground advantage, but Central will be buoyed by the fact they are playing their first semi-final match since 1988.

Herald

 

[Mr Goanna]

Central talked the talk but when the whistle blows you find out what you are really made of.