Tweed big men the key
WILL Bugden says Tweed Heads will be out to show “what we’re about” when they take on the Northern Pride tomorrow.
They will have no shortage of motivation to draw on either: the Seagulls’ final home fixture of the year is old boys day and comes on the back of Shaun McRae’s announcement he will step down as chief executive at season’s end.
The former South Sydney coach told the board of his decision on Thursday night, citing the need for change.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the club and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Seagulls has given me … but I feel it’s time for a change,” said McRae, who oversaw expansion works to the Piggabeen clubhouse and the installation of a digital scoreboard during his three years in charge.
While a search will soon begin for his successor, it’s eyes forward for Bugden and co.
The 22-year-old prop missed the middle part of the season through injury but has brought some valuable grunt since returning against Central Queensland a month ago.
“Obviously fitness has been a bit of a struggle but yeah I’ve just put in as much as I can for as long as I am out there,” Bugden said.
“I got through 50 minutes on the weekend and was happy with my stats (24 tackles and 118m) so I feel like it’s coming along.”
Lismore-based Bugden says lessons learnt from the team’s trying 2016 campaign would lay the platform for future success.
“What we’re learning about each other this year is when it gets down and dirty and we’re in the trenches with nothing to fight for, we’re still turning up for each other,” he said.
“We’re losing games on the scoreboard but there wouldn’t be many players this year who haven’t made steps forward in their own personal way.
“You’ve got young players who are learning how to play for nothing but the players around them and that’s a culture that will come through the club.”
The Seagulls’ hopes of toppling the 10th-placed Pride – and ending their own threegame losing streak – hinge on a simple equation: “Whoever goes forward the best wins.”
Three members of Tweed’s starting pack eclipsed the 100m mark in last weekend’s 30-10 loss to Mackay, where Bugden said a lack of execution proved costly.
“We’re getting ourselves into that position but … we’re just not putting that final bit of polish on,” he said.
“But every game we get better. We’re not going backwards so that’s important.”
Burleigh have the Round 23 bye and will return to the top of the ladder if Ipswich defeat Redcliffe this afternoon.