Sport
12 April, 2023
Warriors chasing initial victory
Rugby league returned to Platz Oval on Sunday 9th April when Wattles Warriors take on Southern Suburbs Tigers.
The Tigers are not fielding an Under 19 team, so the program will consist of two games, Reserve and A Grade.
Wattles open line up has yet to post a positive result this year, a situation coach Travis Burns wants to see addressed this weekend.
Wattles’ line up has certainly suffered some losses from the premiership winning combination of last year, but the coach feels his team can built into a force to be reckoned with.
Sunday’s contest with the Tigers will be the Warriors’ first outing approaching full strength.
The forward pack should make an impact in their first home game of the year, with the return of skipper Ty Gardner and addition of new faces, Jacob Mouatt and Jacob Leech, along with Noah Dwyer.
Burns will have premier-ship winning forward Jordan Crocker back in action to however former Brisbane Broncos National Youth Cup back-rower Brendan McBride is still a non-starter.
Wattles certainly have size, mobility and nous, and add home grown book end Mitchell Duff in the mix.
While only two matches into the season lock forward Nick Van Der Poel is the Warriors most consistent performer, his ‘never say die’ attitude, experience and passion will contribute considerably to his team’s 2023 campaign.
Five-eighth Tom Morris is developing a capable halves combination with Brayden Paix.
Morris and Paix have big shoes to fill after the Matt Duggan/Travis Burns duo, but have hit the ground running and impressed their coach in their initial games.
While Stevens brothers Tyson and Zac have been mainstays for Wattles, cousin and premiership hooker Ryan Stevens is again an absentee against the Tigers.
Centre three-quarter on the rise Lachlan Henry missed the majority of the Dalby clash after a head knock, but takes his place on Sunday fully fit.
Reserve Grade
The reserve grade side is focused on a third successive win in what has been a shining start to the season.
Wattles nailed Warwick 18-10, and the following week accounted for Dalby 20-10 in a convincing result.
Coach Tony Morris couldn’t be happier with team performance.
His Warriors still have quality players in contention to return to the line-up as the A Grade side takes shape.
It’s been a consolidated effort by Morris’ outfit, keeping the game simple, executing the game plane and limiting errors.
With the experience of veteran campaigners of the calibre of Tim Hentschel and Aaron Scheid, along with skipper Jordan Henry and Garth Lonergan and a string of talented youth, the Warriors have taken the first vital steps towards another Grand Final appearance.
On Sunday Reserves kick off at 1pm and A Grade at 2.30.
- Glyn Rees
