Jeffery, Ben

Ben JEFFERY [Player Stats]


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A season to remember for Wests Tigers Young Guns
Thu October 26, 2006
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Shannon McDonnell, Stuart Flanagan and Ben Jeffery look back on the past 12 months with a wide smile.

Things have moved that fast for these young rugby league players that they have to pause for a moment to think what a rapid progression they have made.

This time last year McDonnell was sitting his HSC exams at Mt Carmel High School in Campbelltown, Flanagan had not long finished playing country football, and Jeffery was looking for more opportunities in his league career.

Today, all three are first grade players with the Wests Tigers and can now add Australian Junior Kangaroos to their growing resume.

The junior Kangaroos, essentially an U20 team, were beaten 48-18 at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne by an open age New Zealand Invitational team that included Wests Tigers players Bronson Harrison and Rangi Chase.

Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell wore two hats at the match ? one as a club official and the other, as a proud parent.

"All of our players did well. They enjoyed the experience and will get far more out of it than the Kiwi side. It will hold them in good stead for the future,'' McDonnell said.

"The Kiwis were just too big, too strong and some of their players were much older than our boys. The good news for Wests Tigers was that none of our players were injured.''

The McDonnell family enjoyed the occasion, as did Shannon. Twelve months ago, he was busy studying. Don't forget this was the same young kid who just weeks earlier, was on standby for the Wests Tigers team for the grand final despite just one first grade game under his belt.

Twelve months on and Shannon has played in a World Club Challenge game, played 14 games for the Wests Tigers, and represented his country. He was also named the Wests Tigers Rookie of the Year.

"It has been a big year," Shannon admits.

"When I look back on it, it has gone pretty quickly but it was slow when I was doing it all. It has been a good, tough year, and a lucky year for me.

"I had a great time in camp in Melbourne. Apart from getting to know the rest of the boys, we also had a training session with the senior Australian team, followed by an opposed game of us against them.

"Just to see how professional they are and what they do really opens your eyes. Ricky Stuart also spoke to us and a few of the senior players were on hand to present our jerseys.

"I just want to go on with it from here. Now that I have had a taste of what you need to do to get into the Australian squad, it motivates you even more.''

As for Flanagan, he thought his league career was finished this time last year. After playing SG Ball and Jersey Flegg for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Flanagan returned home to Cooma to look after his sick mum.

Upon returning, the doors were all but closed for him at the Magpies, so he finished the season playing for the Narellan Jets in the Group 6 competition.

After one game for the Magpies in Premier League, a chat with Warren McDonnell led to him signing on as a Wests Tigers Apprentice, a program introduced for 2006 to fast track the careers of potential first graders.

Flanagan bided his time, playing in the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Premier League team. He was then called up to make his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers in round three to share the hooking duties with another debutante in Isaac De Gois.

By season end, Flanagan had a NSW U19 jersey in the cupboard and played seven games for the Wests Tigers. He can now add the Junior Kangaroos jumper to his collection.

"It was a bit different pulling on that Kangaroos jersey. Just to wear it was a great feeling, especially when you think of the players who have pulled the jersey on in the past," Flanagan said.

"It has been an awesome ride. To go from playing bush football, to part-time training, to getting a taste of first grade, and then to pull on a junior Australian Kangaroos jersey has been pretty special.''

Jeffery, too, has to pinch himself about the past 12 months. Despite taking out the SG Ball player of the year award, limited opportunities in the St George-Illawarra Jersey Flegg side saw Jeffery accept an offer to come to Concord Oval.

Placed in the Wests Tigers full-time squad, Jeffery proved to be a revelation for the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers in Premier League, scoring more than 20 tries.

His good form led to a NSW U19 jersey and eventually, a chance to make his first grade debut with the Wests Tigers in the round 21 match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, where he went on to score a try.

"It has been a good year for me," Jeffery said.

"To cap it off with a junior Australian Kangaroos jersey was a good feeling. I enjoyed the experience.''

As for the future, all three are locked away for the next few years with the Wests Tigers.

"People have got to remember that all three can still play Jersey Flegg next year,'' added Warren McDonnell.

"They have come on in leaps and bound and we are very pleased with them.''

News sent by: www.weststigers.com.au

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