Anderson to honour late mate Kitching

RUNAWAY Bay centre Jamie Anderson will be out to honour his late mate Chris “Skippy” Kitching when he lines up for the Queensland Rangers this month.

Anderson was the only Gold Coast player selected for the Rangers following the state carnival last weekend at Owen Park.

There, the 26-year-old scored two tries in a win over Northern Queensland to push his case.

Though it’s the fourth occasion his name has featured in the Rangers squad, Anderson’s only prior match appearance came in 2015 – less than two months after Kitching’s death.

“In 2015 it was emotional for me because my mate Skippy played the year before and that was the first year they had it since he passed away,” Anderson said.

“So it is always an honour to play for that team.

“I played against him for a while but I got to know him really well when he came to Burleigh (from Tugun) for that one year or so when he made the Rangers.”

Anderson has become a representative stalwart and put his selection down to enjoying his footy at the Bay.

He will play alongside some familiar names for the Rangers against the NSW Ron Massey Cup side at Pizzey Park on June 17, including former Broncos prodigy Zach Strasser and ex-Titan Davin Crampton.

The side will be coached by Glen Dreger. They will enter camp on Wednesday seeking to avenge their 30-14 defeat last year.

Rangers team: 1. Brett Kelly, 2. Ono So’oialo, 3. Jamie Anderson, 4. Lenny Magey, 5. Trai Fuller, 6. Logan Spaander, 7. Zach Strasser, 8. Aidan Day, 9. Tristan Hope, 10. Bailey Butler, 11. Chippie Korostchuk, 12. Jesse Dee, 13. Jordan Kenworthy. Interchange: 14. Michael Molo, 15. Rhys Melville, 16. Davin Crampton, 17. Taulata Fakalelu, 18. Jack Miers.