Blaney, Reece

Reece BLANEY [Player Stats]


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Blaney handed Bulldogs NRL debut
Tue August 12, 2008
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

Reece Blaney will become the sixth player this year to make his first grade debut for the Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs when they meet the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday.

Blaney, 23, received the news from coach Steve Folkes while in a personal training lecture and will come off the bench in place of half Aaron Groom who strained his hamstring at training this morning.

"It was a bit of a shock to be honest, but I feel like I've done the hard work to earn the spot and I'm really excited by the opportunity," Blaney said.

In other major news for the team, Reni Maitua will miss the rest of the season for the Bulldogs and the World Cup after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction yesterday.

Maitua will be replaced by Lee Te Maari at lock forward and Garry Warburton has been recalled into the starting second row position after showing strong form in the Bulldogs NSW Cup team.

After failing a final fitness test on his knee last week Matt Utai is hopeful of receiving a clearance to play and his been named on the wing. Tim Winitana also returns from injury (ribs), replacing Andrew Emelio. Charlie Leaeno replaces Fred Briggs on the bench in another change to last week's team.

"We seem to be presented with fresh challenges every week and I admire the perseverance the boys are showing," coach Folkes said.

"Pride is a great motivator so we're all actually looking forward to the opportunity to turn things around this weekend against the Panthers."

1 Ben Barba
2 Hazem El Masri
3 Daryl Millard
4 Tim Winitana
5 Matt Utai
6 Ben Roberts
7 Daniel Holdsworth
8 Jarrad Hickey
9 Corey Hughes
10 Chris Armit
11 Gary Warburton
12 Andrew Ryan
13 Lee Te Maari

Interchange
14 Nick Kouparitsas
15 Brad Morrin
16 Charlie Leaeno
17 Reece Blaney

News Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

====================================================================================================== 2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Bulldogs 2 games; [View] Round 23 [16 Aug 08] L 16-52 v Panthers (A). [BE] [View] Round 26 [07 Sep 08] L 34-52 v Raiders (A). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2007 VB NSWRL Premier League St.George-Illawarra Dragons 4 goals, 8 points. ====================================================================================================== 2006 VB NSWRL Premier League St.George-Illawarra Dragons 5 tries, 26 goals, 72 points. ======================================================================================================

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