Size no issue for under-18s

RUGBY LEAGUE: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

That’s the approach the Mustangs U18s side is taking into their Mal Meninga Cup campaign, beginning tomorrow against Souths Logan.

Coach Brendan Wilson is taking an undersized pack into the season, but believes what they lack in size they make up for in heart.

“The biggest thing coming into the year is that we’re not a big side,” he said.

“We’ve been training to move the ball around a bit and to try and move the defence around.

“That was put on the backburner a bit in the trials, but I’m hoping the boys can play what’s in front of them.

“We have just got to be a bit more aggressive. You can be small but still be aggressive by getting up off the line and chopping them down, tipping on the ball through the middle, and getting through the defence to tire them out.”

Despite a solid pre-season in terms of preparing for round one, results in trial matches didn’t fall the Mustangs way.

A couple of sound losses to Wynnum-Manly and Easts haven’t deterred the attitude at the club according to Wilson.

“The pre-season has been strong dating back to November,” he said.

“The trials didn’t go as well as what we expected, but I’m sure with our best side combined they will acquit ourselves well.

Dalby’s Sam Gillespie was given the nod for captain duties, leading the side from the backrow.

St Mary’s College pair Keanu Wright-Dunrobin and Brayden Paix have been named in the halves, and despite being in the age group below, Wilson said they can take the reins of the young side.

“I’m expecting big things from Keanu,” he said.

“He has an ability to play what’s in front of him and take opportunities to play football.

“Brayden has been a bit of a steady influence in the trials.

“We’re expecting more from them, but we have to remember they’re still just 16. ”

The Mustangs U18s take on the Magpies at Davies Park from 11.50am.

TEAM: 1. Angus Wright, 2. Oliver Bichel, 3. Blake Moore, 4. Morgan Byrne, 5. Stewart Free, 6. Keanu Wright-Dunrobin, 7. Brayden Paix, 8. Lachlan Thom, 9. Shaun Packer, 10. Thomas Bell, 11. Tyson Stevens, 12. Sam Gillespie, 13. Max Brady, 14. Braith Ashurst, 15. Lachlan Fanning, 16. Cooper Tate-Roche, 17. Connor Clement