Premium Content LOOK out if Swifts speedster Godfrey Okot gives up the pre-game chips and gets serious. He might score even more than the hat-trick of tries he produced in the Bluebirds latest 60-22 A-Grade victory over Norths. I ve never really taken care of my body, Okot said, after his latest scintillating performance. When I see a gap, I just try and launch for that line. Whatever happens, you get through or you get whacked but you get back up and play. Just the love of the game. In his new team environment, Okot is happy to continue sharing in some wonderful club spirit.
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Subscriber only THE glint in Josh Cleeland s eye indicated the sense of relief the Ipswich Jets players felt after breaking their 2021 Intrust Cup season drought. The Ipswich born and bred five-eight responded with his trademark team-minded approach when asked what best summed up Saturday s 40-24 victory over the Capras at North Ipswich Reserve. There was a lot of emotion when we lost four in a row so it was good to get the win with the boys, Cleeland said. Most satisfying is we are working together. We are not going ourselves. We re making sure we are playing for each other.
The Tolova a siblings are Norths juniors. Charalambous played his first A-Grade match for the club in the second row after previous stints with West End and in England. Masson-McKlaren s effort at hooker off the bench was creditable after he broke his leg two years ago. The debutants had more important roles after Norths lost vice-captain Ethan Page to a shoulder injury at halftime. Leading 16-6 at the break, Norths got the job done. We dropped more ball (in the first half) than what we would have liked but defensively they were really strong, Williamson said. They all stepped up in the second half and basically dug deep knowing the fact that Pagey wasn t going to be there for the last 40.
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Subscriber only NEW Norths A-Grade coach Michael Williamson concedes his team will be rusty for their opening game of the Rugby League Ipswich season after a first round bye. However, Williamson was just as concerned about former Tigers mentor Gary Lawrence as his side prepares to tackle Fassifern at Harrisville on Saturday night. Former Toowoomba Clydesdales premiership-winning coach Lawrence was appointed in the pre-season to take over from Mick Newton for the 2021 season. However, Lawrence has stepped aside due to health issues. Having overseen major junior development and premiership successes at Norths in recent years, Williamson accepted the club s invitation to take on this year s A-Grade side.