THIRTY-FOUR years is a long time between drinks for members of a rugby league club.
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But that lengthy drought will be broken in October, with a Group 13 rugby league reunion set be held at Greenfield Park.
League legend Tommy Raudonikis will be a guest at the function.
One of the organisers, Dianne Murphy, said the reunion would be a chance for everyone who was involved in the league, not just players, to catch up and reminisce about the years prior to the Group 9 switch.
“This will be the first ever reunion for this league,” Murphy said.
“It’s open to anyone who was involved in the Group 13 league.
“Players, officials, umpires, supporters, and family members are all welcome.
“We thought it was time to put something on, and we thought a one-off event like this would be appropriate.”
Former player Paul Seaton represented the Albury Roos from 1975 to 1990, and said he was excited to see some of his former teammates and rivals.
“It’s looking like it’ll be a pretty good night by all accounts,” Seaton said.
“Talking to a few people who are going there’s some excitement brewing, and it’s certainly exciting to be seeing some of the guys again.”
Seaton said plenty had changed in the world of rugby, since the 1991 merger of the Roos and the Albury Blues.
“I don’t think we would have fared too well in the modern game,” he said.
“It’s a lot faster, and the skills are certainly a bit sharper.
“Having a side like the Albury Thunder travelling as well as it has for the last few seasons is great for league in our region.
“The only downside is that there’s no Albury derby.”
Seaton’s sons Mitch and Chris are continuing his legacy, both playing in premiership sides for the Thunder, including one on the 30th anniversary of the Roos’ 1983 flag.
“The Group 9 competition is great at the moment, it still has a real toughness to it, like the Group 13 competition had,” Seaton said.
