KEEPER TO LEAD FROM THE BACK
Taumalolo eager to shoulder extra responsibility
GLOVEMAN Richard Pennington has been backed to stand up to a highly skilled Saints Eagles South attack as Ross River FC returns to the FFA Cup this weekend.
Pennington will skipper Ross River with coach Matt Aubrey demanding the experienced Englishman fire up his side with his unbridled passion.
The keeper was the driving force behind the Crocs’ rise to the 2nd Division men’s title last season with his work between the sticks keeping them alive in several close contests.
But it is the Englishman’s leadership that Aubrey will be relying on the most against Saints.
“He is a very strong leader … he is a very loud voice from the back, he has a lot of experience and he’s English.
He has that passion for the team,” Aubrey said.
“I believe he can lead from between the sticks. The boys have gotten what they need from the training sessions, and he is there to lead with his chat and his efforts. He is a very big part of this club on and off the field.”
The clash will be a litmus test for Ross River, which will return to the
North Queensland Football Premier League reserves this season.
It won’t be easy in the FFA Cup, up against the reigning Premier League champion, but Aubrey said his side was not just making up the numbers.
“The players are ready to make the step up, the way they have been training and playing over the last few years is a testament to their desire,” he said.
TRADITIONALLY Jason Taumalolo has led with his actions, and the way he carries the football with such enormous power.
But now there is an extra weight on his shoulders, an added responsibility to ensure he brings the best out of his teammates.
The Cowboys superstar lock will assume the co-captaincy this NRL season with Michael Morgan, and already the 27-year-old has felt the need to change.
His behaviour has to change, the way he plays has to change and he has to be the man who inspires North
Queensland to a new era under coach Todd Payten.
“I had a bit of a moment to myself (after being elected co-captain) where I knew I had to change the way I behaved, especially at training around being a bit of a larrikin. I have toned that down a bit,” Taumalolo said.
“It is about finding the right time to know when to work and when to have fun.”