NSW Wolfpack strike success with Cobras - Newcastle Herald

By CRAIG KERRY

April 14, 2014, 10:24 p.m.

NEWCASTLE Cobras veteran Mark Legge is no stranger to representative gridiron and success.

NSW Wolfpack strike success with Cobras

NEWCASTLE Cobras veteran Mark Legge is no stranger to representative gridiron and success.

So helping the NSW Wolfpack to a 50-0 round-one thumping of ACT Monarchs in the Australian Gridiron League on Saturday would not normally be anything special.

But the presence of young Newcastle teammates Max Nina and Beau-Jon Ryan in the NSW side made it just that.

Nina and Ryan, both in their early 20s, made their representative debut in the away game, and the Cobras trio will line up against South Australia in Sydney on April 26 for the Wolfpack as they look to confirm a finals berth.

The selections of Nina and Ryan are a major step forward for Legge, who has been a driving force behind the re-establishment of the Cobras in the NSW Gridiron Football League in 2012 after their 15-year absence.

Newcastle head coach Paul Ryan, an original Cobra, is also in the Wolfpack as linebackers coach.

Legge, a Novocastrian who played division two college football with Southern Arkansas University, hopes the strong Cobras representation at state level this year proves a breakthrough for the sport in the Hunter.

"Sydney Uni are unbeaten in the state competition over 11 years, so they are prominent in the Australian and NSW team," Legge said.

"So to get three into the team out of the remaining eight sides in the league, we're doing pretty well given where we are.

"I think once a few guys in the team get to see we are able to play at that level, they will be a bit more confident about going down and trying out in the next few years."

Legge is also in the Australian squad for the 2015 International Federation of American Football World Cup, which is held every four years.

He believes Nina, from Charlestown, can make the jump to international level and join him in the Australian Outback side for the tournament in Sweden in June next year.

"I think Max will find himself with an invitation as a receiver," he said.

"He was playing defence with Newcastle the past two years but has made the switch to offence now and he's picking up the game quickly.

"He's a real chance of going if he sticks at it. He's a young kid with a lot of potential."

Legge, a tight end, hopes the success will help Newcastle improve their standing in the NSW league after finishing last in 2012 and second-last in 2013.

"As the guys stick around and get more experience, we will improve and we will be trying to pick up some new guys as well," he said.

"We will have more home games this year as well at Charlestown, so that should give us more chances to showcase the sport."

The NSW league starts in August and runs through to early December.