Phone 4342 2070 Fax 4342 2071

2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Retirement revisited

 

Two players who announced their retirements at the end of last year have had a change of heart and will turn out for the Roosters this season.

They are the three-time Woy Woy rugby league premiership duo Hayden Berry and Jason Carpenter.

Both former Country players, Berry decided that he had the desire to play once again and following discussions with his brother Mitch (Roosters centre) and coach Tony Clarke, contacted club officals to advise of his desire to once again play with the Premiers.

A desire to play along side former rival Josh White was a major factor in his change of heart.

"We always went pretty hard against each other but there was always that level of respect," said Berry.

"We always got on well of the field, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Given the signing of White, it seems certain that Berry will fill the vacant five-eighth role and form a lethal partnership with his former nemesis.

In December 2001, Jason Carpenter headed off overseas with his wife Mel and son Harrison, for a working-footballing sojourn in the UK.

A PE teacher at St Edwards College, Carpenter arranged a leave of absence to take on a similar position in the North of London.

An added bonus to this would be a chance to experience rugby league in English conditions.

Regretfully things didn't work out as planned, with the Carpenters returning to the Coast midway through March.

"We had a great time. It's a pity things didn't work out, but it was a great experience anyway," said Carpenter upon his signing with the club last week.

"When I got home I realised I was still keen to play, and obviously didn't really want to play for anyone else but Woy Woy."

The return of Carpenter and Berry gives coach Tony Clarke even more options in the quest for back-to-back premierships, and will see the Roosters field a team full of strike weapons, the like not seen for many seasons.

Peter Read, April 4