Mustangs time to stand
Familiar faces to return for Mustangs ahead of crucial season
RUGBY LEAGUE: With season 2020 fast approaching, the Western Mustangs continue to gather momentum ahead of one of the most pivotal years in the club’s history.
The Mustangs announced their 32-man Hastings Deering Colts squad to play out of their new home of Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Expansion into the statewide Intrust Super Cup in 2021 remains the primary goal of the club, and U20s coach Eugene Seddon believes a strong showing from both underage sides will strengthen their bid to the QRL.
“It’s an exciting time for the club and for our region as well,” U20s coach Eugene Seddon said.
“The board is making some positive steps towards that ultimate goal of ISC.
“With little things like moving to Clive Berghofer Stadium, which was one of the conditions of the QRL, it’s exciting.
“It makes my job a lot easier and I think the players are benefiting from the work that is being done from the ground up.”
The squad boasts a number of returning players from last years U18s and U20s teams, including a four-man leadership group.
“We’re really happy with the squad. They’ve come together really well and done everything that has been expected of them over the first two months of the pre-season,” Seddon said.
“They’ve been achieving the little goals that we’ve set each month and a few of the boys are really putting their hand up, which is good to see.
“The whole culture is changing at the club and they’re committing to what we’re trying to achieve.
“Our leadership group of Mitch Murphy, Alex Dunemann, Chris Chalmers and Jordan Crocker have responded really well.”
As well as a strong local core, the Mustangs have been able to recruit players from outside the region, including Lochlan Srama, the nephew of former Gold Coast Titans and Philippines representative Matt Srama.
He comes by way of Ipswich, and has had the honour of representing the Polish national team.
Phoenix Quinlan and Stephen Augustine also bring an Ipswich connection to the side, with Robbie Maxwell making the switch to the Mustangs from the Northern Pride.
MUSTANGS SQUAD: Alex Dunemann, Chris Chalmers, Mitch Murphy, Jordan Crocker, Tom Davis, Brandon Clarke, Jordan Lipp, Alex Brighton, Les Hartvigsen, Declan Buckley, Liam Short, Benji Neliman, Riley Wilson, Corey Wright, James Harlow, Ollie Moy, Matthew Christensen, Tyson O’Dea, Adam Coutts, Dan English, Coby Ferguson, Rhys Carr, Job Tamanabae, Lachlan Swan, Stephen Augustine, Robbie Maxwell, Phoenix Quinlan, Tom Chambers, Kahrn Goldwater, Udom Wala, Tom Rinaldis, Lochlan Srama
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au