On the field, Narrabri Blues wingers Harry Pattison and Lachlan Trindall couldn’t be further apart from one another after they run out wearing the number two and number five jerseys, respectively.
However off the field they are quite inseparable.
The two young guns are great mates whose friendship developed in Wee Waa, where they both played their junior rugby league (until under-12s) and attended and graduated school.
Pattison grew up in Burren Junction but has lived in Narrabri for the past two years, where he works as a builder, while Trindall was raised in Wee Waa, where he still lives and works as a school learning support officer at Wee Waa High School.
While the two 20-year-olds will always hold the Wee Waa town and the local footy club close to their hearts, they now bleed blue for the Narrabri Rugby League Football Club.
They played under-13s to under-15s together for the junior Blues, then under-18s alongside one another in 2019.
They were both determined to break into the senior ranks in 2020 before COVID-19 put an end to that season before it even began.
That wait was well and truly worth it for both players who enjoyed breakout seasons for the Blues in the 2021 Group 4 Rugby League campaign.
Not only did both cement starting spots on the wing for the Blues’ first grade team, but they also played key roles in helping the club win its first minor premiership in the top grade since 1991.
Fittingly, they were then named joint John Boy Davis rookies of the year at the club’s awards presentation event on Saturday, November 6.
Trindall was also named the winner of the Geoff Barrett memorial most improved award across all grades.
The rookie duo were both honoured to receive their awards, and they told The Courier that they were already pumped for the 2022 season.
“It was very fulfilling,” Trindall said.
“The boys helped me out through the year. Confidence-wise, it’s really hard being such a young fella and going up into first grade, especially for your first year of seniors, but they all helped a lot.”
Trindall said he was also proud to receive the minor premiership shield alongside his teammates as well.
“After the year we had as a team, to have some recognition of what we did was also very fulfilling,” he said.
“I felt so much gratitude.
“It would have been so great to go all the way and win the grand final, but COVID kicked in, and what can you do about that?
“Group 4 did their best to get the games going which was good of them but it wasn’t to be.
“This year was our year, but it was just great to get that minor premiership, and now we’re very keen for next year.”
Pattison was thrilled with the 2021 campaign and also said he couldn’t wait for 2022.
“It was a good year even though I didn’t play as many games as I would have liked to after breaking my foot,” he said.
“Having the old boys there on the coaching staff like Johny (John Rumsby) really helped. They don’t tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear, which helps out a lot.
“It was a good year with a good bunch of boys.
“It would’ve been better if we got to play the whole season out but getting the minor premiership was probably the best outcome.
“It really felt like we got the job done by getting that.
“Now we have to aim up for bigger things next year and hopefully we can get the grand final trophy back here.”
Both wingers made their debut at 19 years of age at Collins Park in round one during an 18-10 victory against Moree.
Trindall went on to play 10 of the Blues’ 12 matches, while Pattison played the first five before suffering a broken foot which ruled him out until the finals, which never went ahead.
Pattison bagged two tries in his stint, both in round two in a 26-16 away win against Werris Creek.
Trindall had to wait until round five to score his maiden first grade try, but he found his groove and finished the campaign with five.
“I was very, very nervous,” Pattison said of his unexpected debut.
“Going from juniors straight to the big show, I didn’t expect it. I thought I’d be playing the season in reggies but played first grade that first game.
“A couple of the boys helped me out with some nice words, and I had my uncle (Jeff Pattison) there to present me my jersey, which was pretty special. He came all the way from Queensland to do it.”
Trindall’s first grade debut was also unexpected.
“I was playing reggies, then there was a call from John Rumsby to get me off because they needed me for first grade,” Trindall said.
“I rushed off and went to the sheds and grabbed my jersey, then went over to the warm-up even though I was already warm.
“It all happened so quickly, but it was such a surreal moment to run out in front of that crowd.”
The two rookies said they already could not wait for the 2022 season and declared they would do everything possible during the off-season and pre-season to retain their first grade spots, whether it be on the wing or in another position.
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