By Kenny Andres

For anyone who would have been down to BMD Kougari Oval in the last seven months, chances are you would have seen Aaron Rockley putting in the extra hours on his rehab to expedite his return to the Red and Green.

Until last Saturday, a torn labrum had forced front row forward Rockley to watch from the sidelines in 2018 as the big man patiently worked through his rehabilitation.

It’s the painful unseen journey that happens behind rugby league players at some point, the labouring of fixing the body outside of regular training hours and merely watching on, unable to help contribute on the field.

“It’s tough,” explained Rockley.

“There’s not much you can do but watch and be around the club and try to get the boys back up ready for next week.”

All his patience and hard work has finally paid off, with Rockley churning out an impressive 45 minutes in his long awaited return last week in the BRL A Grade side that defeated the Easts Tigers.

Rockley attributes his successful return to the field to a number of off-field staff at the Seagulls.

“I’ve pretty much called BT [Head Rehab Coach Brendan Turnbull] my personal trainer (during this period).

“Between him and Siz [High Performance Manager Ben Czislowski] and (team physio) Kath Mitchell, they’ve done a lot of work to get me right.”

In what has effectively been an extended pre-season for the prop forward, one silver lining has been what the extra time has allowed him to do for the rest of his body.

“I feel fitter and stronger.

“Along with a heap of conditioning, I really got to concentrate on some weights and I’ve dropped a fair few kilos as well.”

A regular starter in 2017, Aaron Rockley might not have to wait long for a return to the Intrust Super Cup, with coach Adam Brideson naming him on an extended bench for this weekend’s clash with the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

By John Devine

The form guide was thrown out the window in Round 13 of the In Safe Hands Cup with the Diehards, Magpies and Seagulls all getting up over their fancied opponents.

While the winning coaches will suggest the contests were never in doubt, Round 13 was a reminder that this remains one of the most evenly contested competitions in Queensland.

Souths and Valleys had not beaten their opponents West Brisbane and Redcliffe respectively, in their previous two outings in 2018, but both managed to post victories this weekend, while the Tigers’ run of three straight wins came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Seagulls.

Brad Mana, one of the biggest centres in the competition, opened the account for the Seagulls with a bullocking drive three metres out from dummy half to bust the marker defence.

The Tigers hit back at the southern end when a deft pass from Brayden Torphy found Brett Kelly on his right shoulder. He stepped off his right foot to touch down under the cross bar.

Bayside fullback Matt Milson put the visitors back in front when he regathered his own grubber giving the Seagulls a 10-6 lead at halftime.

A bizarre try came after the break when Seagull Semisi Ahoafi danced along the Tigers ten metre line holding the ball in one hand while looking for runners.

Not happy with the options he had, Ahoafi straightened the play only for a Tiger to knock the ball out of his hands. Halfback Adrian Elder swooped on the loose pill to extend the Seagulls’ lead to 16-6.

The Tigers got back in the contest when second rower Harry Pondekas won the race to a grubber kick and cut the margin back to four points.

The win and three vital competition points were secured by the visitors when right winger Peter Gubb strolled over untouched after a Milson cut out pass.

Elsewhere, the Panthers suffered their second straight loss with Souths Magpies staying in the finals race with a 30-12 win, while Valleys defeated Redcliffe 26-18, the Dolphins first loss since Round 5.

In Safe Hands Cup Round 13 Results

Seagulls 22 (Matt Milson, Peter Gubb, Brad Mana. Adrian Elder tries; Adrian Elder 3 goals) defeated Tigers 12 (Brett Kelly, Harry Pondekas tries; Brayden Torpy 2 goals)

Diehards 26 (Jamie Casey, Regan Glynn, Brett Doherty, Liam Herrington tries; Brett Doherty 5 goals) defeated Dolphins 18 (Rinsma Saueha, Will Partridge, Jesse Jennings tries; Reece Braun 3 goals)

Magpies 30 (David Pritchard 2, Lane Ferling, Justin Fai, Jayden Thompson tries; Sato Ketia-Opo 5 goals) defeated Panthers 12 (Sam Collins, Kyle Van Klaveren, Troy Swift tries)

*John Devine is a QRL correspondent covering the BRL A Grade competition

Article originally published at: https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/07/10/seagulls-halt-tigers-win-streak-as-upsets-shake-up-in-safe-hands-cup/