Local policemen in league carnival

Richmond LAC police officers Greg Ryan (left), Mal Bird and Dylan Coleman.

David Nielsen

RUGBY LEAGUE: One day they are laying down the law, the next they will be laying down opponents on the footy field.

Or at least that’s what they hope to do.

Seven police officers from the Richmond local area command have been selected to represent the Country North Cowboys at the 2010 NSW Police Rugby League carnival in March at Port Macquarie, with the chance to later play for NSW against Queensland.

The four-day event attracts a total of 10 police teams from all over the State and acts as a trial for the annual police State of Origin match which is played before the first match of the series each year.

Ryan and Coleman have been selected to represent the Blues in the curtain-raiser the last three years and will be pressing for selection once again.

The Cowboys, to be led by Lismore’s Greg Ryan, have been knocked out at the semi-final stage the last two years by Cronulla Sharks – the Sharks are five-time defending premiers.

This year the Cowboys meet their nemesis in the first match of the tournament, a prospect which has Ryan excited.

“We will have to be on our game right from the start,” Ryan said.

“It will be a good test for the boys first up and should give us a good idea on how we stand for the week.”

Senior Constable Ryan will be joined by station mates Senior Constable Dylan Coleman and Constable Mal Bird, along with Ballina Sergeant Mat Johnson and Constables Ryan Eckersley and Tim Chapman, and Senior Constable Cameron Paine from Nimbin.

Ryan has been part of the side for four years – this is his first as captain – and hopes to lead his team all the way to the title.

“The goal is to win it for sure, but we will see how we go,” he said.

Ryan’s team-mates are selected from branches between Tweed Heads all the way down to Port Macquarie.