Sharks unveil Barrett in NT
CRONULLA will unveil marquee off-season buy Trent Barrett for the first time in Darwin next month. The February 21
NRL pre-season trial clash against the
...
Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/01/19/28051_ntsport.html
Sharks unveil Barrett in NT
GREGOR MACTAGGART
January 19th, 2009
Trent Barrett
CRONULLA will unveil marquee off-season buy Trent Barrett for the first time in Darwin next month.
The February 21 NRL pre-season trial clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Richardson Park will mark Barrett's much-awaited return to top-level Australian rugby league, having spent the past two seasons with glamour English club Wigan.
Cronulla football manager Steve Litvensky confirmed Barrett, a veteran of seven Origins for NSW and 13 tests for Australia, would be a certain starter at Richardson Park.
"Trent will be playing in Darwin, he's been named in our squad and we're not expecting that to change unless of injury," Litvensky told the Northern Territory News from Sydney.
"He's a quality player and we're all looking forward to seeing him in a Sharks jersey."
Barrett, 31, who made his name with the Sharks' fierce rivals St George-Illawarra, won't be the only "star" looking to make an immediate impression to the Cronulla faithful in the Top End.
Fellow prized off-season recruits Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters) and Reni Maitua (Bulldogs) have also been named in the provisional Sharks squad.
"The Darwin trial is very important for our preparation because it's the first real hitout for our top-graders," he said.
"A lot of the guys haven't been up there before - they're excited and keen to perform."
Australian and NSW second-rower Paul Gallen is another major inclusion, while virtuoso fullback Brett Kearney, talented prop Luke Douglas, point-scoring machine Luke Covell and prodigious halfback Brett Seymour also feature.
Opponents Gold Coast have released an early squad with co-captains Scott Prince and Luke Bailey the headline acts.
Pocket dynamo Preston Campbell is also there, as is Mat Rogers, who lived here as a teen when his dad, the late, great Steve Rogers was ex-general manager of the DRL.
Tickets on sale from DEC, Oasis News and Lotto (Palmerston), Top End Visitor Information Centre (Bennett St).
CRONULLA: Paul Gallen, Trent Barrett, Brett Kearney, Dave Simmons, Anthony Tupou, Reni Maitua, Misi Taulapapa, Fraser Anderson, Corey Hughes, Terence Seu Seu, Ben Ross, Luke Douglas, Ben Pomeroy, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Mitch Brown, Blake Green, Kade Snowden, Jack Afamasaga, Reece Williams, Jacob Selmes.
GOLD COAST: Scott Prince, Jordan Atkins, Luke Bailey, Preston Campbell, Aaron Cannings, Daniel Conn, Brett Delaney, Nathan Friend, Josh Graham, Ashley Harrison, Michael Henderson, Ben Jeffrey, Will Matthews, Brad Meyers, Mark Minichiello, Luke O'Dwyer, Mat Rogers, Sam Tagataese, Esi Tonga, Chris Walker, Matthew White, William Zillman.