Working to right path
Mustangs down, but not out yet
RUGBY LEAGUE: Things haven’t gone to plan for the Western Mustangs in 2018, and their pain was compiled yesterday with a 42-18 defeat to Souths Logan Magpies at Gold Park.
The Mustangs found themselves trailing early on, in a game where their defence was tested, however there were promising signs for the future of the Hastings Deering Colts side.
Coach Eugene Seddon was proud of the growth his side was able to show, bouncing back from a heavy defeat to Burleigh the week prior.
“The scoreline of 28-4 at half-time wasn’t indicative of the effort,” Seddon said.
“They had six sets in our 30 which we repelled. It was just a few basic one-on-one missed tackles.
“I told them to not watch the scoreboard. They were in the contest, but it was unfortunate the score is what it was.
“The effort was there. They came out after half time and got it back to 28-18.
“I was proud of them over the whole 70 minutes, and it was a step in the right direction.
“The Sunshine Coast game broke our back. It was a winnable game, and things came to a head last week.
“I’m proud of the boys with the week they put in. It was a much improved effort.”
The Mustangs get the chance to end their four-game slide when they take on the Tweed Heads Seagulls this Sunday, as Seddon looked for his side to build on their improved performance from yesterday.
“It was probably Michael Naseri’s best game of the season,” he said.
“Tuia Eliu has a big influence over the side as well. They had a much improved effort, and if that can continue, it will have a ripple effect amongst the playing group.
“This week is about us. We want to improve ourselves as a unit. All we can do is control what’s in our own backyard.”
Eliu, Benji Neliman, Josh Foster and Buddy Stanley scored tries in the defeat.
In the final game of their Mal Meninga Cup season, the Western Mustangs fell 46-26 to the Souths Logan Magpies.
After conceding twice in the first six minutes, the home side regained their composure, taking a narrow 20-18 advantage into half-time.
Both sides traded fourpointers in the early stages of the second half, before the Magpies put their foot down, and opened up a match-winning lead.
Seddon indicated that there were a few players from the Mal Meninga Cup side that could come into U20s contention.
“Luke Maiden is someone I could see transitioning. He is a talented player and led them around well.
“Chris Chalmers could handle the jump very well.”