Duncan can play big role in finals
Souths star shines at No.7
Dwayne Duncan looms as a key figure in the TRL finals after starring in Souths’ 42-20 sixth-place play-off win over Gatton at Glenholme Park.
Duncan ran in three tries for the Tigers in the sudden-death play-off on Wednesday night and was instrumental in Souths getting out to a great start.
His move to halfback has coincided with Souths’ great last-ditch run to the finals, one which has seen the Tigers win six of their past seven games.
Coach Daniel Holmes had been playing halfback as he waited to go in for knee surgery, but after he went under the knife, Duncan was thrust into the playmaking role and is thriving.
“It was pretty easy,” Duncan said of his transition from the centres to No.7. “Holmesy made it easy for me really. Our game plan is pretty simple.”
Souths centre Kyle Athorn thinks new father Duncan is a great fit at halfback.
“I think he has just got that natural ability. He can turn nothing into something,” Athorn said.
Duncan helped Souths get out to a 24-4 lead at half-time against Gatton running in
two tries and having a hand in others. He bagged his third just after the break as Souths had an answer for any Gatton revival.
The Hawks now miss out on the finals for the first time since 2012.
“Souths were really good. I can’t take anything away from them,” Gatton co-coach Nick Harch said.
“Their enthusiasm, they probably just wanted it more than us. We were probably just a little bit poor and a little bit flat in patches.”
Souths will now take on Pittsworth at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday in the second of two elimination semi-finals this weekend.
Duncan hopes the Tigers can back up well and build on their winning run in the finals.
“Hopefully the short turnaround will help us with our momentum,” he said.