Sport
9 January, 2024
Burns and Duggan duo reform
Recently reappointed Wattles Warriors Rugby League Club coach Travis Burns is more than enthusiastic about his first-grade team’s 2024 season which gets underway with the club’s initial training session at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Tuesday, January 16.
The seasoned mentor and former NRL star is stepping into his seventh season as Wattles top grade coach, and feels more than confident his team of last season will all reunite for the coming challenge.
A significant bonus for Burns and his line-up is the return of brilliant half Matt Duggan to the green and gold fold after opting to play last season with the Toowoomba based Western Clydesdales in the state wide 2023 Hostplus Cup.
Duggan first ventured Wattles way over a decade back in 2013 after tasting grand final success with Toowoomba’s Valleys Roosters, going on to becoming an integral cog in the Warriors A Grade side’s twin premiership wins in 2014 and 2015.
A multiple Wattles RLF Club and also Toowoomba Rugby League player of the year, the former Queensland Rangers halfback excelled as the playmaker in the Warriors most recent premiership success in 2022.
Duggan’s experience and sensational ability will add volumes to Wattles attacking firepower for the coming season.
Coach Burns is also upbeat about the return of many of last seasons’ achievers, saying, “We’ll certainly look impressive on the team sheet, and signed players Nick Van Der Poel, Matthew Christensen and Jake Meddleton will be among those firmly within our performance core for the coming season.”
Wattles first on field outing for the new season is the much-anticipated Barrett Family Shield, the 22nd contest for the prestigious silverware against traditional foes the Warwick Cowboys at Platz Oval on Saturday March 2.
The Warriors will also engage in a pre-season trial against the Pittsworth Danes in mid-February, before they meet the Oakey Bears in their initial 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League fixture round.
Along with Travis Burns, Wattles new season coaching staff include Tony Morris (Reserve Grade) and Cameron Hamblin (Under 19).
As Wattles step forward into their 59th season since formation, their management committee for 2024 is:
President
– Amanda O’Halloran, VicePresident – Tony Morris,
Junior Vice-President – Tom
Duggan, Secretary – Emily
Henry and Treasurer – Cathy
Morris.
Inquiries regarding the
Wattles Warriors should be
directed to Amanda
O’Halloran on 0407 663 270.
