Who are the River Boys? Notorious gang who returned to Home and Away to help Ash find Robbo
Dedicated Home and Away fans will have been around when the notorious River Boys were wreaking havoc in storylines over a year ago - but now the boys are back in town.
Who are the River Boys and what role are they playing in the soap? We’ve got the lowdown.
Who are the River Boys?
The River Boys are a gang from Mangrove River who first appeared in the soap in 2011.
Their storylines were full of violence and crime, with the lads regularly starting brawls, getting arrested, dealing drugs and laundering money.
The previous gang was made up of Darryl “Brax” Braxton, Heath Braxton, Casey Braxton, Brodie Uptown, Stu Henderson, Pee Wee, Rick, Danny, Mick, Gordo, Sam, Benji and Ferret.
They are said to be based on the Bra Boys, a real gang based in Maroubra, eastern Sydney. This group became notorious for its violence and alleged connections to organised crime, and is centred on surf culture.
The original River Boys dissolved after Brax escaped from prison and Kyle was thrown in jail for 13 years.
There is now a new group of River Boys in Summer Bay for the current season of Home and Away.
What are the River Boys doing in Summer Bay?
The 2018 season trailer teased a brief flash of shirtless men walking along the beach, with one of the guys sporting a tattoo reading “blood and sand” across his back.
As it’s similar to the one Brax had, long-standing fans will be aware of the reference - which is confirmed in a conversation between Alf and Tori.
“Who are they?” Tori asks, and Alf replies “The River Boys”.
“What are they doing here?” she questions, to which Alf says “Nothing good”.
Fans were initially left wondering if Brax was making a return, but it has since been revealed that new character Dean, played by Patrick O'Connor, is the main River Boy now.
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Ash, who is infamous for being in the middle of a fight, is involved in violent scenes with the gang.
After the death of his ex girlfriend, Kat Chapman, and their unborn baby, in the season finale, the Summer Bay hunk calls up the gang to help him track down Robbo - and shake up life in the sleepy seaside town...