Wilkie’s back to boost Tigers
TULLY’S premiership credentials have skyrocketed with Colin Wilkie set to make an emotional return to his junior club this weekend.
The 31-year-old crowdpleaser reluctantly retired from the Northern Pride in March but, after a two-month sabbatical and time to build up his business, he’s eager to return to his old stomping ground.
Wilkie said the hunger for the game never left and he felt joining the Tigers was the least he could do to repay the club for its support.
“The game of rugby league has been really good to me. I think I’ve had the chance to play in eight different countries and met so many good people because of it,” he said.
“Without Tully Tigers, none of it would have happened.
“Tully really gets behind their team. We get a great turnout and the local businesses really invest in the side.
“The least I can do is pass on a bit of knowledge I’ve picked up along the way.”
In some ways Wilkie feels like a “dinosaur”, especially after his first training run with the club on Tuesday.
The Italy representative insists he never lost the desire to play, rather struggling with the training and travel load with the Pride, and said while he’d miss the odd training session and game at the Tigers, he would do all he could to lift them.
“Not many boys are my age but I’m really looking forward to working with the halves and the playmakers,” he said. Saturday 6pm: Tully v Kangaroos, Tully Showground 7pm: Mareeba v Innisfail Brothers, Davies Park 7pm: Edmonton v Ivanhoes, Petersen Park Sunday 3pm: Southern Suburbs v Mossman/Port Douglas, Alley Park 3pm: Yarrabah v Brothers, Jilara Oval
“We’ll work on game management and how to pick sides apart.
“There’s heaps of talent here. Hopefully I can just help them take another step.”
CDRL secretary Pat Bailey said Wilkie’s return would be a huge boost for the competition and a young Tigers side showing plenty of promise so far this season.
She said the 2015 Gold Medal winner clearly loved his town and felt he wanted to put all his off-field work to be fit for the Intrust Super Cup season, before he retired, to good use.
“It’s good for Tully, but it’s also good for the young kids,” Bailey said. “He just gives 100 per cent – he’s got the most wonderful nature.
“It just goes to show how much he loves his home town. For him to give back for what Tully’s given him – it’s great.”
The Tigers face their biggest test of the season against 2018 surprise packets Kangaroos, who are looking to bounce back after a home loss to Atherton.
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