Dylan Hartin knows Rebels jerseys and a Queensland tour are up for grabs at Saturday’s second annual Newcastle Rugby League All Stars fixture at St John Oval.
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The Lakes second-rower will line-up for the Newcastle All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in what doubles as a virtual trial for the revamped senior representative team.
After a season on the sidelines, the main Rebels squad returns with a June game confirmed against selected players from the Sydney-based Ron Massey Cup competition.
A fortnight later a combined group from that encounter will be picked for a trip north of the state border to take on the Queensland Rangers.
Gateshead 25-year-old Hartin has played with the Rebels before, the same 2015 season he won the Newcastle premiership with the Seagulls, but the former Knights and Gold Coast lower grader said he looked forward to having another shot.
“It was good [All Stars] last year and it’s a bit better this year, now it’s going to be a trial for a Newcastle rep side,” Hartin said.
“I guess it gives us a little bit more interest in the match. You can go on to represent further. And a trip to Queensland possibly at the end of it.”
Last year’s inaugural Newcastle RL All Stars match ended in a 22-all draw at No.2 Sportsground.
It followed the NRL All Stars game played at McDonald Jones Stadium a month prior and became the sole representative fixture available for senior Newcastle players after the NSW Country Championships reverted to under 23s.
The Rebels won the last senior crown in 2016.
However, Newcastle RL will no longer play at the championships after switching affiliation from traditional governing body Country Rugby League to NSW Rugby League in the off-season.
This has prompted the recent change in representative structure and the re-introduction of the senior Rebels, to be coached by Phil Williams.
Saturday will see Kurri recruit Jade Porter play halfback for the Indigenous All Stars while Wests’ Sam Keenan was named on the Newcastle All Stars bench.
There have been several changes to the original squads announced including the withdrawal of Chanel Mata'utia, Brad Murray, Dane Tilse, Adam Clydesdale and Cal Richardson (Newcastle All Stars) as well as Jacob Gagai, Brad Tighe, Ryan Walker and Steve Gordon (Indigenous All Stars).
Those called up include Kyle Kennedy, Jack Kelly, Marvin Filipo, Brenton Horwood, Jarrod Smith, Royce Geoffrey and Kurt Warden (Newcastle All Stars) as well as Jarom Haines, Kodie Charles and Tye Alchin (Indigenous All Stars).
Both teams trained on Wednesday night.
