GOOD things come in threes and the Affleck family of Nelson Bay rugby fame can vouch for that.
Dave Affleck was a legendary centre for the Gropers in his heyday and now derives much pleasure watching his talented forward sons Mitch and Lewis Affleck pack down in the Hunter Suburban Rugby Men’s competition.
With Nelson Bay men’s rugby team in a rebuilding phase in the Presidents Cup first grade series, the emergence of the powerful lock forward siblings has ardent supporters brimming with excitement.
Young Lewis and Mitch have stamped their mark in the Gropers’ top grade lineup this season with industrious displays against seasoned opponents and shape as future forward leaders.
After a two year hiatus, 23-year-old Mitch has relished the opportunity to partner his kid brother in a revamped Nelson Bay forward “engine room.”
Both picked up Players’ Player points for their non-stop displays in the Gropers’ recent 36-0 triumph over Medowie at Boyd Oval and produced powerhouse performances in last Saturday’s stirring 32-19 victory over the previously unbeaten Cooks Hill Brown Snakes at Bill Strong Oval.
Twenty-one-year-old Lewis was named the Nelson Bay club’s Players’ Player of the Year in his rookie season in 2024 and is regarded as one of the competition’s rising young second row forwards.
Both Affleck brothers are Nelson Bay junior products and graduated through the Suburban Rugby Premier Three ranks before earning their top grade spurs.
The hard working siblings have added steel to a young Gropers forward pack with their bustling runs and punishing defence and are part of the club’s exciting new breed.
Nelson Bay coach Zion Takarua has assembled one of the youngest first grade forward combinations in the club’s proud history – an outstanding crop that also features promising front rowers Eddie De Vos, Riley Byfield and 19-year-old Jacob Affleck (no relation); hooker Ollie Edwards, 20-year-old flanker Jobe Hirschausen, 19-year-old utility forward Hayden Wilson and emerging back rowers Jordan Byfield and Ronan O’Connell.
Young Lewis and Mitch hail from good stock with dad Dave a former top grade rugby league centre with Souths Magpies in the Brisbane competition before moving to Fingal Bay and carving his niche in the rugby sphere with the Nelson Bay club.
Dave played over 100 matches for the Gropers in a six year stint during the 1980s, winning a premiership and earning legendary status as a powerful running inside centre and bone jarring defender.
By Chris KARAS
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