Former Canberra Raiders are set to renew old rivalries at the West Belconnen nines this weekend as players return to the capital for a chance to get one over Green Machine favourite Troy Thompson.
Former Raiders hooker Glen Buttriss has committed to the nines, which will double as the start of his tenure as player-coach at the Cootamundra Bulldogs.
Glen Buttriss mobbed by fans in the 2010 NRL finals series.
Photo: Lannon HarleyThompson is the coach of the West Belconnen Warriors and is organising the nines tournament, while fellow ex-Raiders Adrian Purtell (Albury Thunder) and David Howell (Gungahlin Bulls) will also be there.
Buttriss believed the tournament would break up his side's pre-season in the lead up to the Group 9 season.
Troy Thompson.
Photo: Richard Briggs"My former Raiders teammates Troy Thompson, who's running the Nines tournament, approached me and asked if I would like to have a run in the Nines," Buttriss said.
"I just thought it would be great for us Cootamundra boys to get away for the weekend and bond.
"It's something different. Instead of playing 13 a side, playing a Nines tournament is a bit of a change so it should be enjoyable."
Although the competition is a pre-season tournament, there will be fierce competition with $10,000 total prizemoney up for grabs.
The nines will be played at Raiders Belconnen from Friday to Sunday. The final will be on Sunday at 2:30pm. Admission is $5 per day for adults while under-16s get free entry.
Pool A: Cootamundra Bulldogs, Gungahlin Bulls No. 1, Tuggeranong Bushrangers, West Belconnen Warriors No. 2.
Pool B: Albury Thunder, Goulburn Bulldogs, Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Gungahlin Bulls No. 2.
Pool C: Leeton Galloping Greens, Temora Dragons, West Belconnen Warriors No. 1, Woden Valley Rams.
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