By Lee Reilly

The season starts again for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls when they take on the Valleys Diehards at BMD Kougari Oval in the BRL A Grade Semi Final. For Fullback Hayden Crowley the season starts again so past results mean nothing.

“The games we’ve put together you can probably put behind you and start with a clean slate because everyone gets a chance to go through to the Grand Final.”

“This year I think it’s two in one in their (Valleys) favour. There’s always healthy competition and hopefully with the team we go out with we can put them to the sword and push through to play Redcliffe next weekend.”

Crowley is aware that it is now up to the players to get the job done and the squad spoke during the week about players stepping up.

“I think it’s been more the players talking to each other. Ron and Jody have been good throughout the year with giving us roles individually but this is the time of the year that the coach can only say so much and it’s up to the players to step up to the mark and if that doesn’t happen it’s going to be an early season knock off I guess.”

Injuries to the Queensland Intrust Super Cup Squad means there has been plenty of reshuffling to the squad in 2017, but the Townsville junior knows that been part and parcel of the Seagulls season.

“It’s been pretty strong. Alot of players filter down into the comp (BRL) from Q Cup and it makes the competition really healthy. We’ve had a pretty interrupted year with injuries in the top squad.”

Away from the field Crowley has is a Community Liasion Officer with the Yulu-Burri-Ba local Indigenous health practise, admitting he never knows what the day will bring.

“My role continuously change day to day. I like to tell people I’m a middle man between the client and clinic. If there’s some cultural difficulties or boundaries, I often come into play and persuade some of our mob how important health is.”

The previous two years Crowley spent time as a Teacher’s aide at Brisbane Bayside College. An experience that has left a lasting impression on Crowley.

“I worked with kids with disabilities, kids with ADHD, ASD. Autistic kids were probably my favourite to work with. At times they were very challenging, but it definitely makes you appreciate what you’ve got.”

“I moved from Townsville into that job and I was away from family away from friends. There was some days darker than others when you’re missing home but once you go to working with the kids who seem to be really bubbly even though their home or personal lives might not be great, It really puts everything into perspective.”

The BRL semi-final match kicks off at BMD Kougari Oval at 6pm (free entry).

By Lee Reilly

Being in and out of games and not putting in full 80 minute performances has been a struggle in 2017 for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls according to outside back, Jeriah Goodrich.

“That’s been our biggest problem this year is closing out games. We need to be more consistent for the whole 80 minutes.”

“It has nothing to do with skill, it’s all mental, “added Goodrich.

The most disappointing part of their loss to Burleigh Bears was how well they played against the Easts Tigers  the week before, according to the 23 year- old.

“That was off the Northern Pride game in Bamaga. We tossed up a pretty poor performance there.”

“Everyone was in a good mindset for the derby against the Easts Tigers and we went in for the kill that’s for sure. I don’t know if that took a bit out of us and contributed to the result against the Bears.”

“We’ve been unfortunate this year with injuries, although the guys that have come up have done a great job. I think going forward as a club that can’t be an excuse. We need to go back to the days where that “no excuse mentality”, that is Wynnum and anybody who puts on that jersey will turn up and do a job.”

“I know it’s tough and we can kick buckets as much as we want but at the end of the day anyone who gets to put on the jersey is fully capable and needs to get the job done without any excuses.”

Leading into the last bye, the entire Seagulls squad had an old fashion bbq after training; an initiative that Goodrich believes brings the side together.

“We had a big hit out and a BBQ afterwards. The main message from Brido was take your mind away from footy, getaway from it.We do it for that many weeks of the year so it’s nice to get away and come back refreshed.”

“I definitely feel having the social events, having a beer after the games does help, especially  with the amount of new blokes and overall morale of the side. Just helps everyone get along better and I think that transcends onto the field.”

A concreter by trade, Goodrich like many of his team-mates knows that getting his body right is paramount to being able to contribute for the Seagulls.

“It’s not the easiest job, its very labour intensive. Your flogging it out for 8 to 11 hours a day in the sun then have to get to training”

“I’ve sort of set myself a bedtime of 9:30. Make sure I’ve packed my lunch the night before and then water is definitely key. I make sure I pack a water cooler when I go to work.”