Guymer and Martin make that Temora connection
When Parramatta Eels forward Charlie Guymer returns home to Temora, he sometimes runs into another of the Riverina town’s favourite sons in Penrith Panthers’ premiership-winner Liam Martin.
“He’s a bit of a star at home and I’ve run into him a few times at the bowls club,” Guymer told nswrl.com.au after the Under 19s arrived in Redcliffe to play Queensland at Kayo Stadium in the Under 19s State of Origin on Thursday night.
Guymer and Martin crossed paths earlier in the week at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence after the Westpac NSW Blues played an opposed session with the CABE NSW Under-19s side.
“I definitely look up to him,” Guymer said.
“He’s pretty aggressive when he gets on the field, and he leaves everything out there.
“There are certain parts of his game that I want to have in mine too.”
Martin plays his ninth Origin game tonight (Wednesday 12 July) when the Blues host Queensland at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Guymer doesn’t have a sound theory on why Temora has been such a magnet for Rugby League talent with other players, who hail from the Riverina town, including Steve Reardon, Trent Barrett, Ryan Hinchliffe, Brett Firman, Angus Crichton, Zac Lomax and Josh McCrone. North Queensland Cowboys coach and former Wests Tigers premiership winner Todd Payten was raised there.
“Maybe because there’s not too much more you can do but get outside and go to the footy ground and kick the ball around,” he said.
“And the (Temora) Dragons has a real good culture so everyone wants to be a part of the club.”
As for Guymer’s own progression, he was a boarder at St Gregory’s High School at Campbelltown and came into the Parramatta Eels system.
He scored a try in the club’s UNE SG Ball Grand Final win (28-22) over Newcastle in April and has been playing Jersey Flegg (Under 21s) after overcoming an injury from that Under 19s decider.
“I hurt my shoulder in the Grand Final, but I’ve come back now – obviously got a fair bit of confidence out of winning that game,” he said.
“I’m feeling good and ready to go.”
Guymer says the Queensland team’s strengths are a bit of a mystery because NSW hasn’t seen many of their players compete at close hand.
“We’re just expecting a quick, tough game,” he said.
“If we can withstand the first 10 minutes I think we’ll be fine.
“We’ll look to go through them first, and then play some footy off the back of that.”
As for having True Blues Mark O’Meley, Josh Jackson, Shaun Timmins and head coach Andrew Ryan leading NSW, the 18-year-old is lapping up their knowledge.
“I’ve already learnt a fair bit off him; he gets us pumped up with his speeches,” Guymer said of Ryan.
“All the coaches have been great, and the boys are loving it because they’ve all been there and done that in Origin – they’re not just making stuff up, they know what it’s like.”
