BRADY Mather used to rock up at Rugby Park, Inverell, for training and be greeted by five teammates.
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Sometimes there might be enough players for a backline. Rarely did they have sufficient numbers for a team run. Reserve grade was strictly Saturday only.
"That was the mentality up there," said Mather who played on the wing and at fullback in first grade for his home-town club.
It's one change that Mather has relished since arriving at Newcastle University, where he is studying physical education, and playing with the Students.
"Down here there are three grades and people actually come to training," Mather said. "Just having a routine has been great."
The Highlanders are one of the smaller clubs in Central North, behind heavyweights Tamworth Pirates, Moree and Walcha.
"The physicality is the same. The top teams in Central North would be pushing for the semis here," Mather said. "Here there is a greater emphasis on fitness and there is a lot more team structure. The top couple in Central North are well structured but no-one else."
As well as cement a place in the Students' top grade, Mather helped steer Newcastle to under-19 Country Championships success in Tamworth a fortnight ago.
He and Uni teammate Alex Vaughan were among 11 players from that team selected in the NSW Country squad to attend the NSW Gen Blue trials later in the season. The ultimate goal is a spot in the Country Eagles for the under-19 National Rugby Championships.
Country selection continues Mather's representative pathway. Last year he was selected in the NSW CHS Second XV but played for the NSW (club) under-18s at the national championships.
"Because it was the first year they had a club side in the nationals, they put us in division two," he said. "We didn't have a try scored against us all week."
The fact Mather has played regularly against men previously shows.
"He is definitely a first grader and is getting more confident," Uni coach Tony Munro said. "He has been playing out of position at fullback - he is normally a 13 - and has scored a couple of cracking tries. He is a good line runner, has nice feet and is a strong defender."
Virtually a new team, University recorded their first win, 24-12 over Southern Beaches a fortnight ago, and Mather is confident there are more victories ahead.
"It boosted everyone's confidence," he said. "A couple of off-field adventures has brought the boys together. We are pretty tight considering at the start of the season no-one knew anyone. At the moment the gap between our best and worst footy is too great. That's something we are working on."
