Photograph: INDIA LLOYD
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JOSH Morris has fond memories of the Bomaderry Sporting Complex.
Last time he was in town Morris led the Kiama Knights under 18s to an 80-nil win over Bomaderry.
"It was my first year of 18s and I was playing half-back, I was a bit smaller then," Morris said.
On Wednesday Morris was in Bomaderry as part of the ARL foundation's Try Rugby League Day, which coincided with the St George Illawarra Dragons' Blitz.
Other Dragons at Bomaderry were Justin Poore, Wes Naiqama and club captain Trent Barrett, who was swamped on arrival by kids brandishing black textas and footballs.
But many kids also knew about Josh and his twin brother Brett (who was at the Dragons' Gerringong blitz), although most parents would be more familiar with their famous father Steve.
Last year the Morris twins were stars of the Dragons' side that won the Jersey Flegg grand final, with Josh gaining selection in the NSW under 19s.
This summer both have been training fulltime with the Dragons' first grade squad and this year could potentially be vying with each other for a first grade spot, although Brett is a specialist fullback while Josh can usually be found in the centres or on the wing.
"It is good that we are in the same team, we are both very competitive, but we are happy to be at the same club," Josh said.
However the twins haven't always played alongside each other.
In 2003 Josh played with the Kiama Knights under 18s coached by his brother Scott, while Brett lined up with local rivals Gerringong - a side full of their Kiama High schoolmates.
Later that year the two sides were to meet in the elimination semi-final.
Josh recalls a tense atmosphere in the Morris home that week, and in the end the game reflected this.
Morris crossed with three minutes to go to give the Knights a 26-24 lead.
"We were giving it to them on the way back," Morris said.
"Then they scored in the dying seconds - and they gave it to us!"
He says while the speed of the game is the obvious difference in stepping up with the Dragons, the constant training is the most challenging part and then there are the days like Wednesday.
"I enjoy it," Josh said.
"I'm studying a diploma of education at Wollongong University, which we are given time to do, so I should enjoy days like this."
