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Stable kids safe in clean new age
Kaleo Tupa'i, Paul Srama & Matt Srama
THE sleaziest cog of the NRL machine is undergoing a dramatic revolution.
Five years ago if a rugby league player agent met a young client’s family, the agent was concerned about one thing only – the size of the kid’s father. “Is my prodigy going to fill out?” would ring through the agent’s heads as they knocked on the family’s front door. Agents used to hand out promises like Pakistan cricket officials hand out life bans, and when the fantasy collapsed their young prodigy only had a Year 10 education to fall back on.
But the rules of the player management game have been redrafted. Now if a 14-year-old five-eighth touted as the next Benji Marshall has an unstable family, player agents will say thanks but no thanks, even if his father is 6’4.
“What’s the point in investing time into a player who even if they make the NRL won’t last because of their off-field behaviour,” Paul Srama, from Catalyst Sports Management said. “If they have their contract cut you lose out too. You would rather put the effort into kids who want to do the hard work.”
Srama used to coach the Ipswich Jets in the 90’s. His first client was his younger brother Matt who plays for the Gold Coast Titans. He has been a player agent for just two years and said those of his ilk could no longer afford to be a money-centric businessman.
“An agent now has to think very carefully about signing a kid who is getting into trouble at school,” he said. “A kid is unlikely to make the NRL these days unless he has a stable family and a good education.”
Agents are one of the most hated aspects of professional sport. They are currently blamed for rugby league’s dilution of talent, lack of loyalty and salary cap rorts. But Srama said it was a poisonous minority corrupting the public’s perception.“There are some seedy types in the business and they ruin it for the rest of us who simply want to see the kids who work hard do well,” Srama said. “The agents coming in now are former coaches like myself who can offer the kids development on the field not just business advice.”
Srama has signed more than a dozen Ipswich youngsters including Ipswich Jets colts Callum Waldrum, James Furminger and Zac Lemberg. He said he signs south-east Queensland talent only as he’s witnessed too many Queens- land kids with Sydney managers get lost in rugby league’s mosaic system. Srama's latest success story is 13-year-old Camira star Kaleo Tupa’i. Tupa’i, an athletic fullback from the Springfield Panthers, has just signed with the Brisbane Broncos as part of their development squad.'
His mother Cozette is still shocked that her Year 8 son has a manager and was the subject of an NRL bidding war. “I was like no way, who does that? What kid has a manager?” Cozette said. “He’s still in Year 8 and signed to an NRL club . . . it’s bizarre.”
The NRL is also trying to scrub the player agent game clean. It wants agents and players to sign statutory declarations that their contracts adhere to salary cap laws. The move was met with caution from agents and players. But Srama said Catalyst would happily sign such a legal document.“If you have nothing to hide then what’s the problem?” Srama said. “Everyone thinks we’re only after the money but it is genuinely about seeing the kids succeed. I love seeing them take each step but I don’t get paid until they make decent money.”
Sam Ayoub, one of rugby league’s leading player agents who has Johnathan Thurston on the books, agreed that agents now had to consider a youngster’s off field record in front of their talent. “Family is one of the main things I look at when signing a kid. If he has a good, stable family, everything else will fall into place,” Ayoub said. “It doesn’t make sense to sign kids solely based off their talent anymore.”
Srama will be at Briggs Road ground tonight to cast his eye over one talent in the under-16 grade. Apparently his father is 6’4.
(Courtesy Chris Garry Qld Times )
Young Catalyst Stars through to Grand Final
Young Catalyst Stars Brad Cherry from Redcliffe Dolphins and Tyrone Tootell from Logan Brothers have helped steer their teams into Junior Grand Finals over the coming weeks. Both starred in their respective major semi-finals on Friday night and will line up in 2 weeks for the season decider.
Cherry is the Captain and 5/8 for the Minor Premiers Redcliffe, in The U15 Premier Division. They had a golden point win over the Easts Carina side, 18-16 after their kicker missed an easy conversion late in the 2nd half; but slotted a harder penalty kick in extra time. For Carina their fullback Eric Blair was a standout and almost won Carina the game in the final minutes of normal time. Cherry, who now works as a concreter has been in outstanding form all season and was considered very unlucky by many good judges to miss the Queensland U15 team earlier in the year.
Tootell plays fullback for the Logan Brothers U14 top division side and they were also minor premiers. In a sometimes spiteful match, Logan won 46 - 8 with Tootell scoring a 50 metre individual try to put the icing on the cake, mid way through the 2nd half.
Finals spot on the line for Jets Colts
THE Ipswich Jets Colts will need star forward Zac Lemberg and key playmaker Callum Waldrum to show they deserve the wraps placed on them if their team is to advance to the finals today. The Colts boys play for their season at 4.30pm at North Ipswich Reserve against the Sunshine Coast Eagles.
The last time the two teams played in Round 20 the Jets emerged 28-22 victors after coming back from their routine half-time deficit. Jets coach Mark Bishop said his team was relaxed but excited at training this week. “It’s starting to hit home, that this is it, that their season ends if they don’t win,” Bishop said. “We simply have to start better and not afford to think we can just come back from a few points down.”
Long-haired prop Zac Lemberg will be critical to getting the Jets up the field. Lemberg is currently being courted by both the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos. Jets CEO Brad Wolens said the Titans were keen on bringing Lemberg into their under-20s team next year. “He’s one of four or five Colts the Titans are looking at,” Wolens said.
Lemberg’s manager Paul Srama said he was a fantastic prospect who had gone under the radar, until now. “He’s developed late but I think he’s tremendously talented,” Srama said. “Props tend to come on later in life and I think he has NRL potential. “There’s a few clubs watching him at the moment.”
Bishop said it was time five-eighth Callum Waldrum gave a man-of-the-match performance. “He needs to grab the game by the neck,” Bishop said. “He’s had some great performances in the Q Cup team but hasn’t done it for a while in Colts and we need him to do that against the Coast.”
The Jets have suffered a blow on match eve with impressive back rower Matt Avier called up to National Youth Competition by the Gold Coast Titans. The Jets are coming off a 24-18 loss to the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
(Courtesy Chris Garry Qld Times )
Broncos young gun Josh Hoffman urged to consider Maroons over Kiwis
JOSH Hoffman's New Zealander father has stepped into the representative tug-of-war for the Broncos fullback by urging his son to seriously consider pledging his future to the Maroons and Australia.
As he prepares for Friday night's clash against the Knights in Newcastle, Hoffman revealed he had been personally contacted by Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney as Australia's trans-Tasman foes initiated moves to poach the Broncos flyer. But the Kiwis' pursuit of Hoffman took an intriguing twist on Thursday night when his NZ-born father, Shane, said he would not pressure his boy to wear the famous black-and-white jumper.
"I've told Josh he was born here in Queensland and if that is what he desires that's what I'll be supporting," Shane Hoffman said. "I'd like to see him aspire to represent the country of his birth."
Under his playing contract registered with the NRL, Hoffman, born in the north Queensland town of Mackay, is eligible for Queensland after officially swearing his allegiance to the Maroons. But the 22-year-old admits he is wavering after a call from Kearney, who is understood to be keen on gauging Hoffman's desire to play for the Kiwis at the end-of-season Four Nations.
"It's a really tough decision for me. My heart is with Queensland but I am giving some thought to New Zealand," said Hoffman, whose fullback predecessor Karmichael Hunt faced a similar scenario before he rejected the Kiwis and went on to represent Queensland and the Kangaroos. "I've got a few missed calls from Stephen Kearney. I haven't got back to him yet, he's obviously keen to get me on board with the Kiwis but I'll cross that bridge when the season ends with the Broncos.
"Most people thought I was indigenous only and it's opened a few eyes that my dad is a Kiwi. "I've played in a Queensland Residents side and that had a similar build-up to what I've seen in Origin. "It would be a good thing to play for the Maroons, but I haven't ruled out New Zealand."
Aiding the Kiwis' poaching attempt is, ironically, Queensland's plethora of backline stocks. With Melbourne sensation Billy Slater, 27, having a mortgage on the Maroons' No.1 jumper and Darius Boyd another fullback option, Hoffman concedes the logjam of talent could convince him to chase his representative ambitions with the Kiwis. ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said Hoffman could still play for New Zealand regardless of his official declaration.
Hoffman would not be the first Queenslander to renounce his ties, with Cairns junior Brent Webb playing 17 Tests for the Kiwis between 2004-08 after the former Warriors utility qualified under the residency rule. As a kid Hoffman would perform the haka in his lounge room watching All Blacks games, but his father said he would not pressure his son to represent the Kiwis.
"There's the time frame issue to consider. Who knows how long Billy Slater will be there for Queensland?" Shane Hoffman said. "Whatever Josh decides is fine by me."
Story Courtesy Courier Mail & Peter Badel
Broncos snapup young gun
AFTER idolising Brisbane Broncos superstar Justin Hodges for the past decade, Ipswich Jets young gun James Furminger could end up playing alongside him.
The Ipswich Jets winger and former Olympic swimming hopeful has signed with the Brisbane Broncos for 2011 after rejecting interest from the Gold Coast Titans.
Furminger, 18, has starred in the Jets Colts team this year, scoring five tries in one game and playing several matches in the Queensland Cup side. But it was not until he played for south-east Queensland representative rugby league team the Kookaburras that his talent was finally noticed.
“After the game, a Broncos guy came up and spoke to me and it all snow-balled from there,” Furminger said. “It's amazing to think I'll be at the club I've been a fan of all my life. My grandma is a huge Broncos fan so she was one of the first people I told and she was stoked for me.”
Furminger's rise through rugby league's ranks has been incredible. Until this year the former Ipswich Grammar student had not played rugby league for several years. He only made IGS's second 15 rugby union team and then when he left high school, he dedicated his sporting ambition to swimming. Former Olympic bronze medallist Justin Lemberg, who runs the Goodna Aquatic Centre, said Furminger had Olympic potential . . . all he needed to do was train full time for the next few years. “He did swimming training twice a week while he was in high school and he was naturally fast in the pool,” Lemberg said. “So I told him to try swimming full-time and he may have the potential to become a professional swimmer and if he stuck at it he probably, would have been.”
But instead Furminger quit black line chasing to play footy with his best mates at the Jets. Furminger said his bold decision to step out of the pool for good was now paying dividends. “It's been an amazing year, incredible really. I've followed the Broncos all my life and my favourite player was Justin Hodges so it's strange to think I'll be in their colours next year,” Furminger said. “I didn't like swimming training anymore. Waking up so early. I wasn't enjoying it.”
Furminger will be a member of the Broncos Toyota Cup squad to begin with but hopes an impressive first season will see him join the NRL squad. “I have a job to do with the Jets Colts first though and hopefully we can make it to the finals.”
(Story Courtesy Queensland Times - Chris Garry)
Young Jacks sizzles as Tigers Colts get a win
Ryley Jacks led an Easts Colts team out of the danger zone and into possible semi-final contention with a super game against the Bears on Saturday. Jacks was on fire in the 1st half creating line breaks at will and scoring a try himself. He picked up another in the 2nd half as the Tigers won 46 - 24. Andrew Farrenden and Daniel Wallace also scored doubles for the Tigers with Wallace particularly impressive.
Hoffman arrives as Hunt replacement
Brisbane has found its long-term replacement for full-back Karmichael Hunt, with 22-year-old Josh Hoffman confirming his arrival in a courageous 24-10 NRL win over the Titans at Skilled Park on Friday night. Down 10-6 at half-time to a Titans side that had a mountain of first-half possession, Brisbane outscored the Gold Coast 18-0 in the second stanza with Cowboys-bound winger Antonio Winterstein crossing twice in the space of 13 minutes.
His second try came after Hoffman had shown great hands to pick a low pass up of his bootlaces and grubber down the left touch line for his winger.
"It's something Antonio and I have worked on at training and he's been a bit angry at me for not trying it," smiled Hoffman, who earned high praise from his coach Ivan Henjak after the win.
"It wasn't that hard, because it so low it was easy to slip it onto my boot," said Hoffman, downplaying his brilliant move. Henjak said Hoffman had been outstanding all season but had been "really special" against the Titans.
Hoffman was outstanding at the back, carried the ball back fearlessly, saved a number of dangerous situations reading the play and got heavily involved in Brisbane's attack in the second half. (story courtesy ABC Grandstand)
Srama double sets up Titans win
Titans Toyota Cup star Matt Srama has scored a crucial double to set up a solid win for the Titans in the local derby against the Brisbane Broncos.
Srama, who is currently in negotiations for a contract extension with the Gold Coast club, has been in sparkling form. Ï think I'm playing pretty good football at the moment said the modest Srama. Srama also scored a vital try in the Titans win over Wests Tigers the week before. He is dominating the Toyota Cup stats for one on one tackles and dummy half runs and is hoping the club can consolidate a spot in the top eight with an away win against the Dragons this week. The only disappointing news out of the game was the 1st half injury to lock Jamie Dowling. He will have scans on an injured shoulder and hopes to be back on the field for the next game.
Young Catalyst players star
Young catalyst Stars Lorenzo Vogel and Kaleo Tupaí had played starring roles in their respective champuioships. Vogel played in the Qld maroons in the U15 national cahmpionships in Canberra last month and Tupaí made the Queensland U13 team from the Rockhamton State Tiles earlier in July. Both look to have promising futures.
Hoffman picks up 1st half double as Broncos win again
Josh Hoffman (above with ball) has continued his outstanding from for the Brisbane Broncos with a 1st half double against the Rabbitohs at Subncorp Stadium onn Sunday. Hoffman, who recently signed a new 2 year deal with Brisbane, has been in sparkling form as the Broncos have now won 5 in a row.
Furminger & Jacks pick up 8 tries in Kookaburras games
James Furminger has continued on his tryscoring spree with 5 more tries in the 2 games at the Win TV Divisional Championships over the weekend. Furminger scored a hat-trick on Saturday & added another 2 on Sunday. Halfback Rhys Jacks picked up a double on the Sunday to add to a try on the Saturday. Both players had a great Tournament and will go close to making the Queensland Rangers team.
Moses announces retirement from Rugby
Fijian Superstar Moses Rauluni (above) has annouced his retirement from all rugby because of an ongoing knee problem. Moses will remain at London Club Saracens in a coaching capacity. A formal press release will follow.
Furminger picks up 5 of the best in Jets win
Jets Colts winger James Furminger (above) has had a field day against the Easts Tigers, scoring 5 tries in the Jets win 38-22. Furminger who has played Q Cup for the Jets this year should now be in the Titans & Broncos sights with his sparkling form. Jets 5/8 Callum Waldrum had a hand in two as he continues to work his way back from injury.
Hoffman sticks with Broncos for 2 more years
Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman (above) has signed with the Brisbane Broncos for another 2 years. Hoffman will be with the club until 2012 and has been in great form.
Miliszewski & Jones pick up tries in Burleigh Colts win
Prop Jono Miliszewski & flying winger Brad Jones have scored tries in the Bears 40-14 win over Wynnum Colts. More to follow...
Titan Jamie Dowling joins Catalyst
Titans U20's fullback Jamie Dowling (above) has joined Catalyst Sports Management for the next 2 years. Dowling, who has captained the Toyota Cup team this year, had been in sensational form until a recent knee injury, put a kink in his season. Dowling returned from the injury 2 weeks ago in the Titans great come from behind victory over the higher placed Broncos. Dowling scored a vital try playing in the centres late in the game. (Photo courtesy Titans)
Press Release
Catalyst Sports Management Pty Ltd Director Paul Hogan has been recently contacted by the Sunday Mail to comment on other media stories that some Under 20 Players have not been paid by the Gold Coast Jetstar Titans.
While Hogan did confirm that some players hadn’t received some payments, he agreed with Titans CEO Michael Searle that there were some paperwork issues that had to be sorted out before some payments could proceed. Those issues have been dealt with and the Players have now been paid up to date.
“I can now confirm that our players have been paid in full and that we are very happy with how the Titans have handled this situation. It seems to have blown up into something bigger then it really was.” Hogan said.
Hoffman to follow lead of Karmichael Hunt
NEW Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman is not a blockbusting Karmichael Hunt style of player yet, but he is willing to work at it. Hoffman, 22, has been preferred over teenager Corey Norman for Sunday's match against Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium because of his superior running game.
Hunt, who is playing rugby union in France before joining the new Gold Coast AFL club, was renowned as a kamikaze runner at the Broncos where he debuted as a 17-year-old in 2004. Hoffman said yesterday he hoped this would be his year after biding his time while Hunt was at the club, but an injury in the trials set him back. "Being a shadow for Karmichael was a real eye opener for me," he said.
"But I think I will have to put on a bit more weight to play the same role. "He was a bit fearless, so maybe at training I have to get a few boys there and run straight at them, maybe someone like (prop) Nick Kenny, and see how I go." Hunt played at 92kg last year while Hoffman weighs 89kg and at 183cm is 3cm shorter than his predecessor.
Hoffman played centre for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup after his trial mishap, allowing Norman to get first crack at fullback at the Broncos, with Hoffman also playing wing in his return to the NRL against St George Illawarra last Friday. "There will always be a tussle between us, but we bring different assets to the team," Hoffman said. "Corey, being a five-eighth, has got more of a ball playing role and I've been a kick returner with a running role.
"But in saying that I can work on other things and only improve each day."
Hoffman said the death of his mother, Grace, from a brain aneurism last year had tested his resolve, but he hoped his hard work in the face of adversity was about to pay dividends. "As soon as I got the call from (coach) Ivan Henjak and he told me I was playing fullback, it put a big smile on my face and I thought this was a good time for me to step up," he said.
Kenny missed training yesterday because of an ongoing back problem, but goal kicking lock Corey Parker lasted the entire session after missing three games with a medial ligament strain. "I felt good out there, but we'll see if there is any swelling of the knee tomorrow," Parker said. Hoffman said if Parker returned it would take the pressure off Test forward Sam Thaiday. "Sam has really stepped up his game and having Corey there will only make his job a bit easier," he said.
(Story Courtesy Courier-mail)
Moses Rauluni get his Century at Sarries
Moses Rauluni (above right - courtesy Getty Images) plays his 100th game this weekend for London Club Saracens. Rauluni the Fiji Captain has been with sarries since 2004 and joins an elite group of Players at Sarries. Kam Ratuvou (above centre) also has returned from injury in time for the play-offs.
Matt Srama stars in Titans U20 Wins
Matt Srama (above)has played a big hand in both the Titans U20s wins this season. Srama who hastarted at hooker in both games against the Warriors and the Rabbitohs, will look to contrinue the run against a strong Raiders team, fresh off a spanking of the Broncos in last Monday nights game. He will be joined this week by Rhys jacks who starts at half back for the 1st time this season.
Easts Meninga Cup side on top after big win
Ashley Bull & Ryley Jacks after Saturday nights big win
over Toowoomba in the Mal Meninga Cup 38 - 12.
Mzembe returns to where it all began
Former Ipswich crowd favourite Gideon Mzembe returns to where his Queensland Cup career started when his Norths Devils team ventures to the North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday night. The former IGS track and field star will try to ignite a slick Devils backline in the round three clash. Norths haven’t been spectacular in the opening two weeks but, much to coach Kevin Carmichael’s delight, they have got the all important two points on both occasions.
The Jets crashed back to earth last week against Redcliffe but Glenn Lazarus’ side should be a different proposition on home soil. Their first appearance at home in round one netted a 32-16 victory over the Easts Tigers. That match featured a brilliant performance by William Zillman but critics are questioning whether the Jets can match that form now that the former Raiders flyer has returned to the NRL with the Titans. Callum Waldrum also had a big game that night in his debut and will line up in the halves for his third Q Cup game.
One of Catalyst’s latest signings, James Furminger will make his Qld Cup debut for a Jets team looking to turn around last weeks loss to a Mick Roberts/Josh Hoffman inspired Dolphins. With the Jets back at home that will be looking for big crowd support.
Colts prop Zac Lemberg will be out to continue his great early season form after his outstanding game against Redcliffe last week.
Hoffman & Roberts star in big Dolphins win
Mick Roberts has orchetrated a big 2nd half win for the Dolphins over the Jets 40-10. The Redcliffe Dolphins lead 16-10 early in the 2nd half before running away on the back of some Josh Hoffman inspired defence. Hoffma also made 3 try assists in an outstanding performance which must have him close to a shot at the Broncos soon.
Hoffman also scored a try in the come from behind win over the Tweed Heads Seagulls 32 - 30 in the 1st round. Hoffman scored a 1st half try and had a hand in two others.
Waldrum debut in big Q Cup win for Jets
DESPITE having just 24 hours notice that he would be playing his first Queensland Cup game, Ipswich Jets colt Callum Waldrum (above)showed why he was handed the senior side’s coveted number 7 jersey. The 18-year-old was thrown into the Jets’ top outfit after veteran halfback Ian Lacey aggravated a quad strain on match eve. Waldrum gave the Jets creativity in attack, having a significant hand in their 32-16 win over the Easts Tigers at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday night. The light-footed five-eighth scored the Jets’ first try after picking up the scraps from a Todd Riggs bomb. But Waldrum soon showed he could do more than just be in the right place at the right time. He chased down an Easts player who looked certain to score. He took Easts star Lagi Setu head-on several times and threw a sublime no-look short ball for William Zillman to scoot away and eventually link with Smith Samau for one of the game’s many spectacular tries.
The apprentice plumber, who was the outstanding player in last year’s Jets colts’ team, said he was amazed at the intensity in the Queensland Cup. “It was more full-on than I expected actually,” Waldrum said. “I was not that nervous beforehand and all the boys were geeing me up through the game and making me feel comfortable. “It was a good experience and hopefully I can get another chance in the side soon.”
Waldrum may have an extended run in the Jets side after five-eighth Todd Riggs suffered a knee injury which may rule him out of next week’s match against Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval. Jets coach Glenn Lazarus was impressed with Waldrum.
“I told him before the game, I don’t need you to score five tries, just make the tackles you need to and be there in support,” Lazarus said. “If Riggs or Lacey are not right next week, then Callum will certainly get another run.”
Article Courtesy Chris Garry Queensland Times
Ryley Jacks signs with Roosters
Former SLC 1st XV Captain & now Easts U18 Captian has signed a two year deal with the Sydney Roosters.
Hoffman facing fitness test for spot in final trial
Josh Hoffman at Ballymore last Saturday Night with CSM
Director John Fraser & Father Leo Coote (centre)
AFTER spending the off-season preparing to fill the significant void left by Karmichael Hunt's defection to AFL, Josh Hoffman's chances of wearing the No. 1 in the opening round could hang on a low-key fitness test on Tuesday.
The talented Hoffman had been considered the frontrunner to replace Hunt, but an untimely ankle injury has seen him come back to the pack and he needs a strong performance against Redcliffe in the Broncos' final trial this weekend.
"I approached the off-season with the goal of making that position my own and it's pretty frustrating to get this injury now," Hoffman said yesterday. "I'll have a run around on it tomorrow and see how it goes. I am just going to have a light fitness test and hopefully I get the thumbs-up."
Hoffman watched on from the sidelines on Saturday night as rookie Corey Norman and then Test star Israel Folau delivered eye-catching auditions in the custodian's role against Canberra. "With Corey Norman having a blinder on the weekend, I'm desperate to show what I can do as well," Hoffman said. "I'd love to play well against my old club down at Redcliffe. I've played a lot of footy down there.
"They are big shoes to fill with Karmichael going. He was obviously a great player and before he left the club I really tried to learn as much as I could from him.
"But I am trying to bring my own style to the position as well. The most important thing is to be a player back there that the other players have faith in."
Article Courtesy Karl De Kroo & Courier Mail
Rising Stars get Tigers home
Two of Catalyst latest signings have combined to get the Easts Mel Meninga Cup side home against Souths on Friday Night. Ryley Jacks and Ash Bull, both 17, were able to pull out something special to get up against the favoured Magpies in the U18 Competition. Down 22-16 in the 2nd half, the Tigers got home 30 – 22. They achieved the win on the back of some strong running from Bull, the deft playmaking of Jacks and some great finishing from the Easts outside backs.
Both Jacks & Bull played 1st XV for St Laurences College in 2009 and have returned to Rugby League in fine touch. Bull, who has worked hard in the gym over the last 2 months, is showing the benefits of the work and he continues to impress with determined running and aggressive defence. Bull starts his Engineering degree at QUT in 2 weeks and is looking forward to the study.
Jacks, a senior touch football star was outstanding in steering his side around the park with his long bullet passes and was caught 3 times on the tryline after line breaks. He finished off the Magpies with a pinpoint grubber kick into the in-goal for the Tigers final try. Jacks, the Easts Captain, said after the game they were happy to pick up the points against Souths at Brandon Park after a frustrating draw with the Sunshine Coast in week 1 of the competition. “We didn’t play well against Sunny Coast and turned over too much ball. This week, we hung in there and finished a lot more of our sets.” Jacks, an apprentice Carpenter, is now looking forward to 3 home games in a row to challenge for the top spot in the Southern Conference of the U18 Competition. | 
