Sport
10 April, 2024
Bears vow to re-impose discipline
Oakey Bears President Jason Shannon has promised the club will be more disciplined following a year where the club was on the wrong side of too many penalty counts.
The club held its jersey presentation on Friday night, with a strong turnout to get the season underway at the Den.
Wesley Aumau is the new Men’s A Grade Coach taking over from Herman Ene Purcell.
AJ Ma Chong will continue as captain.
Cameron Donaldson is the new Open Women’s Coach following the departure of Rev Eddie Dean to Sydney.
The women’s side will look different this year with the likes of Annie Vito, Mireka Young, Erikana Dean not playing footy this season.
However, recruitment has been strong and Donaldson says he has not been chasing big name signings.
Laurie Stewart is back for a second year as Reserve Grade Coach and has named Dylan Crump and Joey Eising as co-captains.
Stewart says he has found his feet at the club and knows all the players well.
Round 1 - Men’s A Grade
The score may indicate an overwhelming result for Wattles, however the robust Bears lifted in the early stages of the second half when the Warriors appeared to fall off the pace as the contest slowed.
Wattles regrouped in the later stages, with the Bears never having the firepower to haul in Wattles’ advantage.
Wattles: 52 (Matt Christensen 2, Ty Gardner 2, Mitch Bourke, Kai Duggan, Jake Middleton, Brayden Paix tries; Brayden Paix 3, Matt Duggan goals).
Oakey: 18 (Jeremiah Pati 2, Jacob Edwards, Maluafiti Vaovasa Taiama tries: Preston Alberts goal)
Round 1 - Reserve Grade
Wattles centre Tim Hentschel shows that despite donning the boots for over two decades the veteran commands respect, snatching a hat trick of tries off the Oakey Bears’ reserve grade outfit in a crushing 52 – 10 win for the Warriors.
Wattles forwards paved the way with Jack Duggan, Jordan Henry, Garth Lonergan, Tim Duggan and Tim Exelby taking the challenge to the Bears, while halves and chief organisers Tom Morris and Josh Henry were creative throughout.
Fullback Joe Willett was in superb form flushing out gaps in the Bears defence.
Tries by Josh Henry, Willett, and a double by Hentschel captured a 22 – 0 half time lead for Wattles.
Wattles: 2 (Tim Hentschel 3, Josh Henry 2, Joe Willett, Jack Duggan, Alex Morris, Tom Morris tries; Tom Morris 8 goals)
Oakey: 10 (Jack Schilf, Joseph Eising tries; Dylan Crump goal))
Match reports by Glyn Rees
