Mustangs prepare for Bears test
RUGBY LEAGUE: With four rounds of the Hastings Deering Colts competition remaining, the Western Mustangs are hoping to close out the year on a winning note.
They return home to Gold Park, but meet a mighty foe that will make it tough for them to record just their third win of the season, coming up against top-of-the-table Burleigh.
The Bears have lost just two games throughout the season and recorded a 52-10 defeat of the Mustangs at Pizzey Park on ANZAC Day.
This clash is the latest in a four-game span that pits the Toowoomba-based side against the top four teams in the competition.
While acknowledging the challenge at hand, coach Eugene Seddon said it is a good test for the side.
“It’s been a tough few weeks playing fourth, third and now first, before Wynnum (second) next week,” Seddon said.
“We’re battling along, but it is a good experience to come up against these sides.
“Playing up in Townsville last week, they had three U20s Queensland reps, an Australian schoolboy and nine that have played Intrust Super Cup this season. It was a good experience for them at a different level and to their credit they haven’t thrown the towel in.
“We didn’t do anything particularly wrong against Townsville, we were just beaten by a better side.
“The Bears stuck it to us last time and they won’t want to drop their momentum leading into the finals.
“We’ll try to look within ourselves and improve where we can.”
One player that has stepped up from Mal Meninga Cup to the U20s competition is winger Dylan Brassel.
During a competition break, Brassel made his TRL Premiership A-grade debut for Southern Suburbs, picking up a double and earning team of the week honours.
“It’s no surprise that he went back to Souths and played some quality footy,” Seddon said.
“We gave him the opportunity to finish off the year there but this is the pathway he wants to go down and he stuck with us.
“It’s the type of character he has. He has worked for everything he has received.”
The Western Mustangs round 20 match against Burleigh Bears commences at 2pm at Gold Park today.