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Gladiators finalise squad, captains THE Mareeba Gladiators are ready to hit the ground running in 2017 after playercoach Tye Ingebrigtsen finalised his 25man squad last week. 15 Gladiators who played last season have been named in the new-look A-grade team, with the remaining 10 spots going to the imports Ingebrigtsen has recruited. Four of those come from Cairns-based CDRL clubs. “It’s a good mix of players coming through. The group’s coming along well,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with the way things are going at the moment. The boys are getting used to each other, slowly gelling and becoming a team.” Former Northern Pride hooker Maddie Oosen and Gladiators second rower Ian King have been named as co-captains, Ingebrigtsen opting for a senior leadership team instead of a sole player. Ingebrigtsen said the pair were clear standouts at training.
“They’ve really stepped up and lead the squad around over the past month,” he said. The Gladiators held their last preseason training session of the the year last Thursday, breaking over Christmas before resuming on January 10. “Obviously, we’ll be getting more serious about our ball work and our structure leading into our first trial on February 11,” Ingebrigtsen said. “There’s a lot of excitement amongst the players. A lot of them are buying into the culture.” The club will play their first trial match against Mossman/Port Douglas on Feburary 11 before setting themselves up for a blockbuster local derby against Atherton Roosters in pre-season match in March. “Hopefully we can put on a good performance in front of our home crowd,” Ingebrigtsen said.
LEADERS: Maddie Oosen and Ian King have been named co-captains for Mareeba Gladiators’ A-grade team.
FORMER Mareeba Bull Shaun Owens has been given the biggest wrap of his playing career after being named the FNQ Heat’s Coach’s Player of the Year. The natural midfielder, who spent last season as a right fullback with the Heat under the direction of coach Tim Campbell , was given the accolade at the club’s end of season player presentation night on December 10. “It’s a huge honour, especially in a team like ours who did so well,” said Owens. “It’s pretty special.” The club came agonisingly close to a maiden Queensland National Premier League (NPL) title in their grand final clash against Redlands United in September. Despite the 3-2 loss, Owens and Heat captain Jamie Carroll, also a former Bull,
Big wrap for former Bull
had a standout season. “We did work hard and got ourselves in a position where we could do things,” Owens said. “I think the lesson for us and me personally is we need to take our chances if we do ever want to win things.” Owens said Campbell was impressed with his attitude, commitment and hard work over the season. “He said as a coach those are the things he looked for and it was evident at training right from November last year to the grand final,” Owens said. “It was just those professional things which stood out.” Owens said the hunger was still there for him leading in to the next season with the Heat. “I’ve got unfinished business. There’s trophies I want to win,” he said.
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TOP HONOUR: Former Mareeba Bull and FNQ Heat fullback Shaun Honour’s was named the club’s Coach’s Player of the Year.
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