Regional calling for NRL

RUGBY LEAGUE: Steve “Blocker” Roach knows the feeling of playing in front of a packed suburban ground.

The NSW and Australian front rower played 186 games for the Balmain Tigers in front of the hallowed turf of Leichhardt Oval, and he is calling on Toowoomba to get behind their historic fixture tomorrow.

Roach is part of the Fox Sports commentary team for tomorrow’s match, and said it was a great opportunity to showcase the game.

“I think it’s magnificent that league is taking games to the country. A packed house will look unreal,” Roach said.

“A lot of time the game lives in a bubble and we don’t expand to country who follow.

“I’ve been to Toowoomba a couple of times over the years around Origin time. It’s a beautiful place and I’m sure everyone will enjoy the experience.

“There is nothing better than seeing kids who idolise teams with jerseys and on camera waving in the crowd.

“The game is about playing it because we love it, and taking the game to people who love it is a good thing.”

Roach grew up in a regional area, and said the exposure of having the game’s elite in town would have an unmatchable impact on aspiring footballers in the Garden City.

“I grew up in Wollongong playing 40 a side in a paddock. We only had two sports, footy or cricket. Now the options are so much wider for sports people,” he said.

“I’ve been to a lot of the country games, such as Mudgee, and the players are icons out there.

“When you’re growing up and looking at trying to play in the NRL, seeing a guy like Ash Taylor coming back to where he’s from gives young people the foresight to be able to put

‘‘ I’VE BEEN TO A LOT OF THE COUNTRY GAMES, AND THE PLAYERS ARE ICONS OUT THERE.

STEVE ROACH

themselves in a position to do it.

“Can you imagine the excitement of his family and friends for him to play where it all started?”

Roach said he would love to see a Titans victory, but is siding with the Dragons to take Toowoomba’s first-ever NRL game.

“With Ash Taylor back in, the side will be better, but the Dragons have too much strike across the park,” he said.

WATCH THE GAME: The game is on at 3.10pm AEST tomorrow live, ad-break free and in HD on Fox League 502.

Photo: DAVE HUNT IT’S GAME TIME: Konrad Hurrell (right) and Nathan Peats will be key components for the Gold Coast Titans in their huge game against the Dragons tomorrow.