STANDOUT BLOKES

Q

There have been a lot of quality players and Test internationals feature in the comp over time. Does anyone stand out?

A

I’ve had a long playing relationship with Shoma (Okubo) since Surfers. He was at Palm Beach, Surfers, Breakers for a little bit and then Eagles. He has been one of the most standout blokes. There’s also the likes of Vitori Buatava (pictured) that I have played with. Jody Danagher, he’s another one, he’s currently coaching at Bond and was with Colleges. There’s been a plethora of international boys that I have played with or against and it has been an absolute pleasure to have played so many years on the Coast and to have met so many great people and great blokes.

Q

Back to Eagles, following that golden era, I guess there have been some tougher times?

A

It’s hard, me leaving at the moment, because the club needs stability but Jai Johnson (head coach) has had a couple of years there now so his stability at the club can only make it stronger and he has got some great ideas and some great coaches around him still with Adam Wallace and Scotty Hyde. I’ll be there in some capacity, I just don’t want to be there full-time as a coach.

Q

Arguably the best moment in recent years was that shock knockout final win over Hogs last year. How does that rate?

A

Yeah, it was pretty special to me, because I played in that game. I played the second half, I was hooker and went up against Jamie (Walker) and gave a bit of lip and got a bit of lip. That was pretty special and for us to be so far down in the first half, to come back with a one-point win was pretty amazing.