Optus Insider | Hayden Crowley

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).