THEY are the ironmen and lifeblood of Fingal Bay Bomboras Rugby League Club that have proved the cornerstone of multiple Newcastle-Hunter campaigns over the past two decades.
Evergreen stalwarts Lee Preston, Nathan Dover, Ben Schneider, Cameron Scully, Robbie Bryant, Todd Doro and Blaine O’Flaherty remain the epitome of loyal club spirit with their courage and will power in the rugby league arena.
All seven are Bomboras mainstays that continue to hold their own against younger opponents on the football field and mentor the up and coming junior talent in the Port Stephens region.
The seasoned veterans are proud pioneers of the Bomboras club that was founded in 1998 and have all tasted premiership success along the way while helping nurture the senior Fingal Bay teams in various competitions.
In times of an injury crisis or unavailability of players, they’ve managed to shelve retirement plans and pull on the boots and get right back into the thick of the action.
A dedicated Dover, the Bomboras’ tireless club president, told News Of The Area that a strong bond exists between the group.
“Our mateship and burning desire to keep the Fingal Bay club a power base in Newcastle Hunter Rugby League (NHRL) has proved a driving force for each of us,” revealed the experienced ball-playing centre.
“We’ve shared some magic moments over the years and have a great camaraderie on and off the field and simply enjoy pulling on the Bomboras jumper and playing for this wonderful club,” quipped Dover.
The hard working president attributed the group’s longevity to their superb fitness.
“We stay in good shape all year round and train extremely hard,” Dover added.
Ravaged by injuries, the Fingal Bay team finished just outside the top five in this year’s NHRL C Grade competition in seventh spot with six victories and eight losses.
With half their squad sidelined, they had to forfeit early matches against minor premiers Maitland United and eventual champions Karuah Roos and contend with fixture washouts before finishing strongly with encouraging victories over the Dungog Warriors 12-4, East Maitland Griffins 46-4 and Woodberry Warriors 50-6.
Dover (37), prop forward Doro (37), utility back rower Scully (37), inspirational lock Schneider (37), classy half back Robbie Bryant (37), enforcer Preston (41) and Dean Sulkowski (30) all played in the club’s first-ever premiership-winning side – the triumphant B Grade class of 2016.
Fingal Bay also lifted the A Grade premiership trophy in 2017 and were crowned C Grade premiers in 2023.
Schneider, who is the Bomboras’ most experienced campaigner with 154 matches, Dover (125 games) and front rower Doro (87 games) are the only players to figure in all three premiership teams.
Playmaker Bryant (139 games) and Scully (95 matches) featured in the winning 2016 and 2017 sides while the tough-tackling Preston (63 games) starred in the history-making 2016 team.
A product of the Cessnock juniors, Lee was a promising lock with the Goannas from Under 13s to Under 18s and represented Maitland Schoolboys alongside future Kangaroos international and NSW Origin star Greg Bird.
The punishing forward also had a stint with the Whitsunday Brahmans in the Mackay District Junior League A Grade competition in Queensland before linking with the Fingal Bay club.
A rejuvenated Preston came out of retirement this season at the age of 41 to fill a void and bolster the forward pack.
Along with his trademark bullocking runs and bone jarring defence, Lee landed a sideline conversion in his final match against Woodberry at his beloved Fingal Bay Oval.
The Bomboras’ other 41-year-old utility Blaine O’Flaherty – a key member of the premiership winning 2023 C Grade side – finished the season on a high note by coaching the Nelson Bay Bandits women’s team to a Newcastle Maitland Community Plate championship title.
By Chris KARAS
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