Sport
28 September, 2022
Two old faces, one new in Wattles coaching ranks
Wattles Rugby League Club has already taken its next significant step towards the 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League season with the announcement of coaches on the back of a week that saw the Club riding the highest level of local rugby league success.
Amidst celebrations of a fifth TRL first grade premiership in its 57-year history, club President Amanda O’Halloran says the club is on the front foot for its forthcoming rugby league campaign.
In possibly the Southern Downs’ worst kept footy secret, successful captain/coach of the past season Travis Burns will take the wheel of the first-grade side after his 2022 success.
Burns has taken the field as a player/coach since 2018 and this year captain/coach, but 2023 will see him calling the shots from the bench, having retired from on-field action.
While he is certainly not a new face to Platz Oval, Tony Morris will take the helm of the reserve grade squad.
It will be the loyal Wattles supporter and generous sponsor’s first venture into coaching, but he is happy to say he will have virtually all of the Warriors current year grand final team at his disposal.
Legendary Wattles identity Cameron Hamblin remains as mentor of the Under 19 side which will see a boost in numbers and ability for the coming season.
Hamblin brings vast experience with him, a first-grade premiership winner, former TRL Player of the Year, five-time Wattles Player of the Year and a member of the 1996 Toowoomba Clydesdales State League victorious side.
Yet to be named is a
coach for the Open Women’s team that is to join Wattles club ranks for next season, but interested parties can contact Amanda O’Halloran on 0407 663 270.
After leading the top grade Warriors to an overwhelming 51–29 win over Gatton Hawks in last Sunday’s blue ribbon season decider, Burns is looking to back up with a top level finish again next year.
He will be embarking on some ‘panel work’, given the physical trials of a 21-year senior grade career including the NRL and British Super League, and a broken hand of late that he carried through the finals series.
“Moves regarding recruitment and retaining players for next year has been underway for some time, and but for the loss of retiring stalwarts Ryan Duggan, Dale Perkins and myself we will see much the same side run out in the new year,” Burns said.
Burns considers among Wattles’ significant strengths across the 2022 season have been the club’s depth, evidenced by both its first and reserve grade teams qualifying for grand finals.
“We have some quality emerging players that will earn their spurs in top grade, and perhaps a sprinkling of new faces,” he said.
While the captain/coach will remain on an achievement high for quite some time, an added thrill last Sunday was the appearance of his former Manly Sea Eagles NRL team mates Chris Hicks and International forward Glenn Stewart, who travelled from Sydney to contribute moral support.
The next big challenge for the Wattles hierarchy will be foraging through a talent-rich playing staff to decide the 2022 Clifton Courier Player of the Year.
The club will host its 2022 season Banquet and Presentation Function at Clifton’s F. E. Logan Hall on Saturday week, October 8th.
- Glyn Rees
