Mustangs riding high ahead of Magpies clash
RUGBY LEAGUE: There’s a renewed sense of hope among the Western Mustangs U20s group.
The side has played out tough seasons in recent times, including winning just three games for the year in 2019.
Spirits are high heading into the new season however, with a number of positive trial results boding well for the tight-knit group.
Coach Eugene Seddon said the side is buzzing ahead of their round one Hastings Deering Colts match against Souths Logan, and hopes they can transfer their trial form into the season proper.
“Confidence is high at the moment having come through a fairly good pre-season,” he said.
“We take benefit from coming away with a few trial victories, but at the end of the day they’re just trials, and this is where it really counts.
“In saying that there’s an expectation on ourselves to put in a performance that we’re capable of.”
The Mustangs defence was ranked the worst in the competition last year, conceding 768 points at an average of more than 38 per game.
That has been a key area of the pre-season from Seddon, with results showing in their trial outings.
Over the course of the three games, the side conceded just 30 points.
“We’ve spoken about defence and highlighted that our for and against last year wasn’t good enough,” he said.
“It’s something we didn’t openly work on, but the efforts and training have transferred to that defensive mentality.
“Against Souths Logan we have to be able to slow down their middle.
“Our defence can shape how we start sets and how many opportunities we get with the ball.”
The decision was made to announce second-rower Jordan Crocker as captain, and Seddon praised the way he has been able to transform his game in recent times.
“He hasn’t only been standing up recently, it’s been through the whole off-season,” he said.
“He has really become the leader and has been rewarded for that.
“Jordan goes through the line well and doesn’t mind rolling his sleeves up and taking those hard carries.”
The round one match between the Mustangs and Souths Logan takes place tomorrow at Davies Park at 1.20pm.
TEAM: 1. Benji Neliman,
2. Mamakumai Naiyep, 3. Alex Brighton, 4. Thomas Davis, 5. Oliver Moy, 6. Chris Chalmers, 7. Alex Dunemann, 8. Rhys Carr, 9. Brandon Clarke, 10. James Harlow, 11. Jordan Crocker,
12. Les Hartvigsen, 13. Liam Short, 14. Declan Buckley, 15. Tyson O’Dea, 16. Jobbaker Tamanabae, 17. Riley Wilson