IGGY PARK READY TO TURN IT ON
THEY are tearing at the seams to get back on the field, and Ignatius Park College coach Steve Lansley can’t wait to unleash his latest crop of league heavyweights.
Rugby league nurseries across Queensland were given a July 29 start date for state competitions, which includes the Aaron Payne Cup.
After bowing out of the competition early last season, Lansley is determined to get back to the top. And he believes he has the crop to do it.
It is the youngest age group that excites the coach the most, with the Cup’s late start date allowing Ignatius Park’s 16-year-olds to be ripe for the charge.
There is one that has blown the coach away, boom forward Damon Marshall.
The prop returned to training with his teammates last week in top shape despite a long lockdown. The squad of 24 has been broken into three groups as the school works within the social distancing guidelines.
“I think he is one of the best 16-year-olds if not in the state, certainly in North
Queensland,” Lansley said. “He will definitely come into our team for the Cup. He is a big, strong forward and he is fearless. We will have no concerns with him, he will step up and do the job for us.
“We have got some really good talent coming through that age group. The thing about the dates and the way kids develop, as we push it back in the year, it gives those younger boys a little more time to mature and develop.”
But Marshall was not the only player to come back in good condition after Lansley developed a strength and fitness program for each player during their lockdown at home.
“We are really pleased with the way they looked after themselves (while at home),” he said.
“They came back looking better than when they left.
“I think that was determination to want to get better. They have worked hard. Our conditioning (since they have been back) has been hard and I have been really impressed with them.”
While a line has already been drawn through a defence of their Confraternity
Shield glory, it won’t stop the players in the Ignatius Park top squad from putting in the hard yards ahead of a challenge for the Aaron Payne Cup.
But they will not be expecting smooth sailing through the competition, with reigning champions Kirwan State High and rivals St Brendan’s, Yeppoon standing in their way.
“I honestly believe it will be a really strong competition this year. All the 16s in the Aaron Payne Cup will be strong and they will all be wound up,” Lansley said.