The strength of Goulburn rugby union was on full display on Saturday afternoon at the 2019 Brumbies Provincial Championships.

Eight players from the Dirty Reds’ ranks took to North Park for a combined Monaro side, in a bid to earn selection in the Brumbies Provincial squad.

Mikael Webber, Jordan Lees, Jackson Reardon, Ben Cheetham, Alec Palmer, Matt Spratley, Simon Graves, and Henry Cooper all played well for Monaro against Southern Inland and South Coast.

In the end, Webber, Lees, Palmer, Cheetham, and Reardon (shadow squad) were all named in the provincial squad on Saturday night.

The selections came off the back of what Webber, who captained the Monaro team, described as “very encouraging” performances.

“Considering we had the one training session and a few blokes that we only met today,” Webber said.

“We played pretty well against SIRU [Southern Inland Rugby Union], and then it was pretty hard to get up in that second game after a break [due to injury].”

Having so many players from Goulburn in the side made life a little bit easier for Webber as captain.

“[There were] a few combinations and stuff like that, that actually did help,” he said.

“I didn’t play last year, but a few of the other boys played, so it’s not as if they totally didn’t know each other.”

The day was held in the style of a carnival. All three teams played each other once, and Monaro came away with even honours after a loss to Southern Inland and a win over South Coast.

With so many players selected for a high-level representative squad, Webber said that it was a fair indication of how the local team is progressing.

“It probably reflects where we are on the ladder I suppose, we’re going pretty well in the comp,” he said.

“It’s good for the club too, because those players come back and bring new ideas to the club.”

From here, the Brumbies Provincial team will go on to play in the Capital Cup on September 7.

Following the break over the long weekend, the Goulburn Dirty Reds will return to action this Saturday, June 15, against Easts at Griffith Oval.

Originally published as Five of eight Goulburn locals selected for Brumbies Provincial team by the Goulburn Post.