Bertie Alcock, brother of House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock, making mark on sporting stage in rugby
His sister is a House of the Dragon and Upright star but teenage rugby player Bertie Alcock likes to stay out of the spotlight - at least when he’s off the field.
NSW
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His sister Milly Alcock is part of the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon but younger brother Bertie Alcock prefers to keep his head down and stay out of the limelight - off the field at least.
The rising star of rugby from Petersham has been identified as a star of the future and is part of the NSW Waratahs Gen Blue U19 squad competing in the national rugby championships which resume in Sydney on Sunday.
Alcock, who plays his club footy for the West Harbour Pirates and does general duties and coaching at his old school Trinity Grammar, said he has dreamt his entire life of being a professional rugby player.
“I’ve been playing since I was six and all I want to do is be a professional player,” said Alcock, who started his rugby career with the Petersham Junior Shammies.
“I’ve always liked the physicality of it.
TEEN STANDOUTS IN RUGBY CHAMPS
“I like the nitty-gritty stuff. I find it really enjoyable. Fighting the head noise when you don’t want to do something. I try and embrace it, go with it. I like being uncomfortable, pushing through the pain.
“I only remember parts of games. I go into a zone and I like it. I don’t worry about anything else but what I have to do.”
The young hooker said missing out on a few rep selections made him realise how important the game is to him and how much he wants to play at the elite level.
“I got a little complacent, lost my spot. It’s been a good thing though. It has pushed me,’’ he said.
“I thought everything was owed to me and when it didn’t come I was disappointed.
“I didn’t think about just getting back in, I wanted to play better football.
“I didn’t train more but I went to West Harbour and played with school mates and started to really enjoy it and I started to play better.
“I reckon I lost the joy of it. I realise now you have to enjoy it to play better.’’
Alcock’s talented sister thrives in the spotlight, playing Meg to critical acclaim in the Australian comedy-drama Upright alongside Tim Minchin and a young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
Alcock said he prefers to just go about his business off field quietly and enjoys playing board games with mates.
“I’m pretty quiet, I don’t talk a lot. I’m pretty mellow and I like to keep my head down,’’ he said
“I’ve taken a year off to figure out what I want to do. I’d love to play professional footy. I’d love to be a Wallaby one day.’
“As a player I want people to think of me as a nice guy who works hard and gives it a crack.’’
The Waratahs under 16 and under 19 teams take on the Melbourne Rebels in round three of the national rugby championships on Sunday at Daceyville.
Both age groups have two wins from their opening matches with players hailing from across Sydney, including the northern beaches, inner west, western suburbs and north shore, the Central Coast, south coast and regional areas.
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Originally published as Bertie Alcock, brother of House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock, making mark on sporting stage in rugby
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