Young prop is ready for finals milestone
Mustangs colts get shot at big time
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Western Mustangs will today make their under 20s finals debut in what is a big occasion for rugby league in the region.
And while the finals rookies take on perennial powerhouse Redcliffe tomorrow at Gold Park with a spot in the FOGS U20s Cup grand final on the line, prop Will O’Gradey thinks the Mustangs have more of something just as important.
Ahead of his first finals campaign with the Mustangs or predecessor the Toowoomba Clydesdales, O’Gradey puts this year’s finals run down to a close bond in the squad.
“It’s a little bit different because every team I’ve played for before with the Clydesdales hasn’t been close to making the finals,” the 19-year-old said of heading into tomorrow’s big semi-final.
“I think we have just been coming together as a team. This year we’re just a real tight group.
“We haven’t got the biggest forward pack but we’ve got the biggest heart.”
O’Gradey and the rest of the forward pack have been doing a great job this season.
The defence of the Mustangs has also been strong, which could be in part thanks to the camaraderie in the colts squad.
The Mustangs have not played Redcliffe so far this year in the shortened state-wide under 20s competition so there isn’t much of a form guide to go off heading into the semi-finals.
Both teams could also be in the dark about each other’s game without having come face-to-face so far this year.
Without knowing much about their opponent, O’Gradey is confident the Mustangs can prevail.
“I reckon we can,” he said.
The Mustangs host not only the under 20s semi-final but also the Mal Meninga Cup under 18s semi-final as the Mustangs take on Easts Tigers in what could be a watershed day for the fledgling club.
“Hopefully we get a few people down to watch,” O’Gradey said.
The Mustangs’ two semi-finals will also be the only rugby league on in Toowoomba tomorrow as the Hutchinson Builders TRL Premiership has a bye for the 47th Battalion Trophy representative carnival at Yeppoon.