Home truths helping Mustangs move on
RUGBY LEAGUE: Season 2019 hasn’t gone to plan for the Western Mustangs U20s to date.
A winless start to the year was compounded last weekend with a 30-point defeat to Sunshine Coast, however the club is determined to turn its fortunes around.
It is hoped a video session held on Wednesday night, looking back at the disappointing defeat at home to the Falcons, will be the catalyst for change.
“Starting the season at 0-3 isn’t ideal and last week what the boys put up wasn’t good enough,” coach Eugene Seddon said.
“We didn’t do ourselves any favours with a poop preparation.
“We had a pretty blunt video session that highlighted a few things and individuals, and the boys weren’t proud of what they threw up.”
Despite the tough state, Seddon remains confident that the side can turn things around and give other clubs a run for their money.
“The challenge this week is to take a bit of ownership and correct what happened last week with a better effort tomorrow,” he said.
“We’re hoping the video session can have the desired effect. In the end it’s up to the players.
“The state-wide competition is the next level, and it’s a privilege to be involved. They’ve got the opportunity and need to take that with the best of their abilities.”
They get their chance for redemption tomorrow when they take on the Easts Tigers, who currently sit in sixth on the ladder with two wins from three games, including a 40-6 defeat of Ipswich at the weekend.
They’re a solid side with a big forward pack, a very good halfback (Dray NgatuereWroe) and quick outside backs,” he said.
“We have to play with patience and make them earn everything. If we do ourselves favours and get in the grind, they’ll know they’re in a match against us.”
MUSTANGS U20S TEAM: Tyson White, Jamal Woodbridge, Nathan Callaghan, Harry Burns, Benji Neliman, Sam Thompson, Laurie Jocumsen, Blake Cullen, Zac Stevens, Jordan Crocker, Jackson Mladenovic, Tom Springate, Liam Short, Pat Brunner, Hunta Mills, Caleb Westbrook, Coby Ferguson, Austin Jennings, Koby Cubby.
The Mal Meninga Cup side can put itself back into the finals race with a defeat of Easts.
Currently they sit in 11th, however a win could potentially see them move back into the top-eight.
The Mustangs fought hard against the Sunshine Coast, brining an 18-point deficit back to two in the final 10 minutes of play, but they were unable to get over the line.
The sixth-placed Tigers will be full of confidence after picking up their first win of the season last weekend with a 50-20 demolition of Ipswich.
Both games are played at Langlands Park tomorrow.
‘‘ THE CHALLENGE THIS WEEK IS TO TAKE A BIT OF OWNERSHIP AND CORRECT WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WITH A BETTER EFFORT TOMORROW. EUGENE SEDDON