Flegler shows leadership
NORTHERN Pride under-21s captain Ryan Flegler has evolved into one of the club’s most promising leaders after spending more time with the Hostplus Cup side.
Flegler has been in the Pride’s development system for years, but in the past six months has made a serious impression on his coach Dave Westley and Hostplus Cup coach Ty Williams.
Westley sees Flegler week-in, week-out and, while his form has been good, it is his natural leadership that has set him apart from the rest.
It’s why it was such an easy decision to name the Tully product and younger brother of Broncos and Maroons firebrand Thomas as captain of the under-21s team.
“He jumped in straight away, showed that leadership and out of everyone who showed up to training, I chose him because of that leadership,” Westley said.
“It wasn’t so much the talking, it was the work ethic at training.
“Along the way he’s started having a lot of input with the boys, talking to them after training or at halftime.
“He’s a smart footballer, he has a lot of football smarts.”
Flegler has been rewarded for his form and effort with the chance to regularly train with the state league side, and that has helped both him and the U21s team when he runs out for the side.
Westley said the lock had responded well to the extra pressure of expectation, and it has seen him lift not only himself, but his teammates.
“He’s contracted to the Cup side, so he’ll be training up with the main squad,” Westley said.
“It will be really good for him. “There was a bit of pressure through this last month or so with expectations, and lifting the boys.
“He’ll get to grow and be around those Cup players and develop (into) more of a football player without that pressure. I think it will be really good for him when he comes back and shows more of that leadership.”
The Pride have the bye this week, and will return to action against the Capras next Saturday.
Go to cairnspost.com.au/sport on Sunday for an analysis of the Pride’s under-21s team.