CENTRALS FULLBACK GOES TO NEXT LEVEL
CENTRALS coach Scott Griffin can’t pinpoint when the change began, but he has embraced the rise of exciting fullback Jesse Pomare-anderson.
The Tigers custodian has “gone to another level” this season, regularly chiming in to the Tigers’ offensive structures and scoring a try in their last round win over Burdekin.
But it was for Townsville in the Foley Shield where the speedster had his crowning moment scoring a firsthalf hat trick against rivals Cairns. “He is definitely playing some good football for us this season and his selection in the Townsville team was reward for how his performances are going,” Griffin said.
“He has improved out of sight from a few years ago. I have only really known him since he has been in the senior ranks, he is definitely more than capable but this year he has gone to another level.
“I would have to say the freshen up of having a year off has played a part.
It has brought a bit more hunger into his game.”
Pomare-anderson has also been part of an A Grade group that has had to take on more leadership, regularly bringing the under-19s ranks into its midweek training sessions.
Griffin said the move was to nurture the future talent at the club, but the spin-off benefits for the senior side have also been evident.
“They take that bit of ownership of having that involvement (with the younger guys),” Griffin said.
“Those kids are the future of the club, there is no ifs and buts about it. We need to build them into the players we want going forward.”
The undefeated Tigers will face an early season litmus test this afternoon as they go head-to-head with Townsville District Rugby League standard bearers Brothers.
The two sides are the only undefeated outfits left in the competition after four rounds, and a win for either side will cement them at the top of the TDRL totem pole.