After sevens seasons, two grand finals and a minor premiership NSW Country representative Josh Schmiedel has left Macquarie.
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The 29-year-old forward has opted to join the Aberdeen Tigers in the Group 21 competition this season after the club secured him employment in the Hunter Valley mining industry.
Schmiedel said it was a difficult decision to part ways with the Scorpions, especially after consecutive losses in Newcastle Rugby League deciders, but ultimately the right one for his fiance’ and two young daughters.
“This change has come about because I am doing something for my family, my fiancé and my two beautiful little girls,” the Tamworth native said.
This change has come about because I am doing something for my family.
- - Josh Schmiedel
“Over the last seven seasons I have had the most memorable moments and have literally made brothers for life. Been through some tough seasons, but stuck through to now – our first ever minor premiership, grand finalists and the club is a dominant force on the brink of something really special.”
Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge said it was a farewell of mixed emotions.
“As a club we’re disappointed to lose a player of Josh’s calibre, but he has been tremendous for us,” he said. “And now his success in football has allowed him to set his family up off the field as well.”
Bettridge said Daniel Abraham, who missed most of last year with injury, would be among those helping to fill the void.
He also said Scone-born former NRL player Dane Tilse, 31, wouldn’t line up with Macquarie in 2017 despite being back in the Hunter after finishing with English Super League club Hull.
The Scorpions resume training at Peacock Field on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Lake Macquarie teenager Jessica Potts is about to emulate her mother Debbie and play touch football for Australia.
Potts, 17 is preparing to make her debut in national colours with Potts senior supporting from the sidelines.
“I was in about year one the last time I went to New Zealand and I was going to watch mum play touch football for Australia,” Potts said.
“Now I’m going back again but this time I’ll be representing Australia and mum will be watching, which is pretty cool.”
Potts will be co-captain of the Australian under-17 mixed team to contest the Youth Trans Tasman Series in South Auckland later this week.
Fellow Valentine product Rachel Jeffs will also be donning the green and gold uniform for the first time, but she is set to feature in the Australian under-17 women’s group.
It’s unusual for the childhood friends, who recently finished their HSC at Warners Bay High School, not to be playing on the same side.
They started out together in the sport and have been almost inseparable since through the junior, club and representative ranks, including selection in the national squads from the National Youth Championships.