NGUTLIK TO MAKE AMENDS FOR INJURY-RAVAGED YEAR
AN injury-ravaged campaign robbed Jimmy Ngutlik of the chance to show his new club what he’s capable of last year, but the flyer is determined to make amends in 2020.
Ngutlik was one of several players to return to Far North Queensland when ACT Premier Division side Wests took on the FNQ Thunder.
A former FNQ Rugby Agrade premiership-winner at Barron Trinity, Ngutlik scored a try for Wests in their 55-7 demolition job of the Thunder.
For Ngutlik, who played in front of his family for the first time in more than a year, the pre-season outing was his first step towards what he wants to make a memorable campaign.
Ngutlik hyperextended and dislocated his elbow last season, which limited his involvement to barely six full games in his first season at Wests.
He felt a niggle in his right elbow, the same one he injured last season, during the trial but strapped it up to avoid a recurrence of the frustrating injury as he sets out to make the most of his time in the nation’s capital.
“It’s going good so far,” Ngutlik said. “Last year I didn’t get enough playing time.
“I got injured, I didn’t get to play for half the season and came back for like the last six games so I didn’t get to do much.
“This year I’m ready to bounce back. I want more time on the field, and I want to get my name out there and get into the (Brumbies) academy.
“The comp is a bit more structured, there’s some better players down there. It does get a bit cold there which makes it difficult in the mornings.”
Ngutlik and fellow former Bull Declan Meredith both moved down to Canberra last year, and both scored tries in the rout against FNQ.
“It’s good to see the family and come back to play at this field,” he said.
FNQ Rugby’s pre-season will continue this week with the Hambledon Hotel 10s at Edmonton, and the Lightning 15s at Port Douglas next week.