HIGHFIELDS EAGLES
LAST YEAR
11-5, preliminary finalists
INS AND OUTS
IN: Will O’Gradey (Wattles) Darcy Marowski (Year off- 2017 Canterbury Bulldogs, Qld U20s rep),Nick Donghi (Rugby Sevens) Trent O’Brien (North Queensland) Tyson O’Dea (Gold Coast) Josh Birch (back from a year off )
OUT: Denzel Burns (Ipswich Jets) Zane Miller (Gold Coast) Tyson Mitchell (Gatton) Tom Hine (Moved for work to WA) Jarrod Lee and Blake Appo (Duel signed with Temora) Brendon George (Brisbane) Dale Madden (Canada) Tom Ingersole, Zac Loxley, Issac Laird, Josh Everett, Nick Bainbridge (all having a year off )
LIKELY TEAM
1. Sean Loxley 2. Aaron Hooper 3. Campbell Stewart 4. Sean Hamel 5. Silde Canda 6. Trent O’Brien 7. Jeff Nielsen 8. Danny Dean 9. Jake George 10 Sam Beilefield 11. Conor Nolan 12. Hayden Edmonds 13. Nat Smith 14. Darcy Marowski 15. Will O’Gradey, 16. Leach Jacob 17. Jacob Mowett
THE YEAR AHEAD
Highfields are set to undergo a massive changing of the guard in 2019 with a number of regulars not returning.
While acknowledging the challenge the Eagles face to return to the finals, coach Gus McKellar believes they have the artillery to do it.
“It’s disappointing to lose the amount of players we have, but that’s rugby league. It creates opportunities for other players to come through.
“Again we have a good group of blokes, and our culture and standards won’t change.
“We’re happy with the whole group from U18s through to seniors, and everyone is buying into what we’re about.
“We set the bar pretty high for ourselves and will look to be there when the whips are cracking.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Darcy Morowski. “He’s a Highfields junior that was picked up by the (Canterbury) Bulldogs. He was down there for a while and had a year with Norths in the state league as well,” McKellar said. “He was keen to return and play with some of his old mates, and he will make his presence felt.”
VERDICT
Perhaps the hardest team to line-up out of any in the competition. They were so close to making a grand final last season, but their top team is almost unrecognisable with so many changes taking place, including a number of key personnel. If they can gel, they can push for a finals berth.
SIXTH