Touching moment sparks coach move
‘‘ THAT SORT OF SPARKED A LITTLE THING IN ME, SEEING A CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND SO PASSIONATE ABOUT A CLUB THAT WAS REALLY UNDER SIEGE ALL YEAR. LIAM CAPEWELL
Photo: Sean Teuma
A viral video after this year’s U18s TRL Premiership grand final has provided the catalyst for Liam Capewell to join the Southern Suburbs Tigers as the club’s new head coach.
In a season that shook the club to its core, the junior victory was the shining light, and kept many people at Souths going.
“I saw a video online after the 18s won,” Capewell said.
“A family friend of ours, Brian Hearn, presented a young gentleman in that side with his father’s U18s jersey.
“Connor Williams, his old man (Lindsay) played in an U18s premiership with Southern Suburbs and somehow he had ended up with that and held onto it until that time.
“That sort of sparked a little thing in me, seeing a close family friend so passionate about a club that was really under siege all year.
“From the outside it made me think these blokes aren’t ready to roll over.
“They’ve come out of a pretty big hole in all honesty, but from what I’ve seen we’re well into the climb now. There’s a bit of a climb ahead but we’re definitely on our way out of the hole.
“I think everyone has a different Souths to look forward to next year.”
The A-grade scene was much tougher for the Tigers with player numbers a recurring issue and the side finishing the season without a win.
The club hasn’t put any expectations in terms of finishing position for 2019, but Capewell said he was hoping to instil a desire to never give up on the fight.
“Compete is a mantra I probably preach more than anything,” Capewell said.
“Have that competitive attitude that you’re the best at what you do. What makes great players great isn’t just their ability.
“There’s been a lot of good footballers that haven’t gone on to be greats, but the greats are competitors.
“That’s something that’s going to be a mantra for us next year is that we compete in everything we do.”
Incoming president Keith Canning said the club had received a number of inquiries about joining the playing roster, and said recruitment would kick into full gear with their coaching announcement.
“We’re very much in the recruitment stage now and we’re going to have some fun at Souths this year,” Canning said.
“We’ve been reluctant to go out and throw our hat in the ring as far as signing players was concerned up until the announcement.
“We wanted the whole community to know so we can get the message across.
“We want to do what we promised Liam we would and give him stability.
“We are very much open for business in 2019. We want players who want to come to the club, whether they are A, B or C (grade).”