By Lee Reilly
One player who was itching for the start of pre-season was former captain Patrick Templeman. The Wynnum Manly Seagulls play-maker only saw 40 minutes of a pre-season trial game before being struck down with a shoulder injury and leaving the 24 year-old shattered.
“To do a full pre-season and play 40 minutes of one trial to be told your out for the year is pretty heartbreaking, it was pretty tough to deal with. You feel distant from the playing group because you can’t contribute with the on field stuff.”
“I’m not the first person to go through it and I certainly wont be the last,” added Templeman.
Templeman decided to be able to be fresh going into 2018 he would play a lower key role during 2017.
“I still went to all the games and did all that I could. I didn’t want to be around a whole heap because I wanted to be hungry and excited going into next year. It’s the first pre-season that I’ve really enjoyed; I’m back into it and excited.”
Where we see the 2015 Courier Mail Best & Fairest medal winner lining up for the Seagulls in 2018 is something coach Adam Brideson and Templeman are keeping close to their chests but a conversation that has taken place.
“Brido (Brideson) and I had a little chat about where I’ll play next year and how we’ll go about things.”
“I think we all know we can do something pretty special next year if we all put the hard work in now. There’s a good reward come September and October next year if we put in the hard yards.”
Making the new recruits like Michael Dobson, Delouise Hoeter and Matt Allwood feel welcome at BMD Kougari Oval as soon as they arrived is something that the former Canterbury Bulldog made sure of.
“That’s something as a leader that I try to pride myself on is welcoming the new fellas in.” “If you can make it as welcoming and enjoyable as possible at a new club it makes it easier for their home life and putting good performances on the field.”
With the retirement of Matty Seamark, who will be taking over the goal kicking duties is something that Adam Brideson will have to decide. With the playmaker being one of the leading candidates and something he has been pondering about and understands the importance of.
“I was thinking about that last week. I might have to take over Seamarks’ golden boot. It’s been a while since I’ve kicked goals. I filled in when Matty was injured or out. It’s defiantly something we struggled with last year.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been a full-time kicker so I’ll have to dust off the boots and maybe start practicing,” said Templeman.
“I enjoyed it when I was in 20’s (Playing with Canterbury Bulldogs). Sometimes it can help your game. If your kicking goals and striking the ball well it can give you confidence in other parts of your game. If given that responsibility next year I’ll definitely enjoy it.”