Pivotal pair are ageing nicely
THEY are the old dog and the young pup holding the key to Bilambil’s push to defy the doubters yet again.
Kobi Annand and Ben Black are the off-season recruits taking charge as the Jets’ six and seven.
The pair are 15 years apart in age but each bring significant quality to the table.
Annand, 22, has previously played for Bilambil in under-16s, under-19s and Agrade before making the jump to Tweed Heads, where he debuted at Intrust Super Cup level two years ago.
Culture was the lure for him to return to the Jets.
“It’s just fun, everyone enjoys footy down here,” Annand said. “That’s what it is all about I guess.”
He’s been on a steep learning curve too since veteran halfback Black arrived.
Black played seven NRL matches for the Wests Tigers way back in 2001 before stints in England for Halifax and Batley, on the Gold Coast for Burleigh in the ISC, and more recently in the tough Group 9 bush footy comp at Wagga Wagga.
“I was just looking to move back up to the Gold Coast,” the 37-year-old father of four said. “Mum and Dad moved up here so I decided to move up here closer to family.
“I’m living at Kingscliff, so it is only just down the road and since day one they have made me feel really welcome here.”
He and Annand are at different ends of their respective careers but complement each
other nicely on the paddock.
“Kobi is doing really well and I think we are getting a really good combination going and working off each other well,” Black said.
“Obviously, at my age I am a bit slower now so I am just trying to get around the park and hit Kobes out wide and he can play, but he gets us around the park as well.”
Last year, Bilambil snuck into the Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade finals and then sent derby rivals Tweed Heads packing in a boilover before exiting in fourth place.
After a big first-up win over Ormeau, they came crashing back to earth last weekend with a 28-6 loss to Runaway Bay but are determined to punch above their weight again.
“I think we’re a bit underrated,” Annand said.
The Jets host Southport at 2pm tomorrow.