Record-breaking rugby league player keeps passing on skills
Playing a full 80 minutes at five-eight, the Jets player/coach distributed the ball superbly, showcasing some of the silky skills he possessed during more than 280 state league encounters.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOR a rugby league player on the wrong side of 35, Phil Dennis can still control an A-Grade match.
The former Queensland Cup record holder did that in the Jets’ latest 42-28 win over Brothers.
Playing a full 80 minutes at five-eight, the Jets player/coach distributed the ball superbly, showcasing some of the silky skills he possessed during more than 280 state league encounters for Souths Logan.
He accepted the Jets A-Grade head coaching role this season eager to help the Ipswich club prepare another generation of players for higher level football.
However, he has enjoyed having a run in some Rugby League Ipswich matches this year to keep the legs ticking over and to share his vast knowledge in the most practical way - on the field.
“It’s still there. I can still do it,’’ Dennis, 37, said, emerging from a victorious Jets dressing room.
“That’s probably the third-fourth game in a row.’’
The massive smile on his face highlighted how much satisfaction Dennis got from the win and from sharing it with his teammates.
The Jets had just survived a seesawing first half battle at Raceview before finally wearing down Brothers.
“It was good. They (Brothers) were probably the only team that had the wood on us from the start of the year,’’ Dennis said.
“We’ve beaten everyone now.’’
That included competition leaders Swifts earlier in the season.
“That was a really tough game,’’ the player/coach said.
Dennis said Brothers were particularly dangerous in the first half when former captain Wes Conlon was marshalling his troops so well.
Brothers were first to score through fullback Josh McCarroll who ended the game with a double.
But after the Jets hit back from a length of the field try by Sam Langbein, Brothers captain Matty Bell kept his team ahead before the Jets pulled ahead again.
Brothers rallied to lead 24-14 at halftime.
However, the Jets turned on the afterburners in the second half, finishing with nine tries.
“I think we were rushing a lot of stuff, not playing our game and not defending really well,’’ Dennis said.
“Wes Conlon was brilliant with the ball. You can’t give him time. You never know what he’s going to do.
“At halftime, it was more so getting back to doing what we do best - roll through, get some momentum and just play some football.’’
Dennis said the first half was actually a welcome hitout for his team.
“It just goes to show what the comp is like and both teams can stick it to each other,’’ the Queensland footy great said.
In a reasonably settled Jets side, Denzel Burns returned at fullback.
Shar Walden scored a double at centre where he’s progressing well in his quest to regain a spot in the Jets Intrust Super Cup team.
“He’s good defensively, great in attack,’’ Dennis said.
“We are set in what we do but we’re lucky enough that we can move players wherever we need to at times. Whether it’s just to change it up and give us options down the track, we are able to do it.’’
Scoring nine tries was a pleasing effort, especially after Brothers muscled up in the first half.
“I think a few of the boys might have thought it wasn’t looking like that at one point but we’re good at getting momentum,’’ Dennis said.
“If we can do that, we can get over teams.
“It did help that Wes did get sent for 10 but I still think we were on top of them even if he didn’t go.’’
In-form winger Sam Langbein and forward Dominic Macumboy also scored try doubles.
Dustin Maugatai crossed straight after halftime.
“Dustin is a good story,’’ Dennis said. “He’s a Rosewood player.
“He’s played three or four games for us now.
“When we’re looking for numbers he puts his hand up and does a really good job.
“That try was perfect.’’
Brothers coach Jason Connors said his team’s main goal was hanging onto third spot with competition leaders Swifts and the Jets dominating at this stage of the season.
He took plenty out of the match considering Brothers are dealing with three major injuries including to captain Josh Leisemann. He has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
“The completion rates were really good, the energy levels were good,’’ Connors said.
“We know what the Jets do and they have got that style of football in them.
“We just have to go with them and that comes down to fitness levels.
“We struggle with two nights a week training and fitness levels so that’s what is disappointing.
“The Jets have got 30 points in them a game. We have to score more than them or keep them under 30 - and we struggled to do that in the second half.’’
The respected Brothers halfback of past seasons signed on for the weekend game before deciding against playing.
“It was just more for organisational but just for the speed of that, I don’t think I could have made it,’’ he said.
With Leisemann focused on rehab, Matty Bell has stepped up as captain.
“He’s really come along as a footballer,’’ the coach said, noting how far he has come in the past five years.
“Matty is a good leader, makes no errors in his game, carries the ball well and well represented around the club so it’s well done for him to be captain.’’
Brothers play Swifts next Saturday night at Raceview.
The Jets travel to North Ipswich to play the Tigers in their Round 12 encounter.
In Sunday’s other match, Swifts maintained their dominance in the competition overpowering Goodna 58-6.
In Sunday’s Reserve Grade game at Raceview, Rosewood held out a fast-finishing Brothers side to win 14-12.
State of play
ACS Group A Grade: Jets def Brothers 42-28, Swifts def Goodna 58-6, Norths def Fassifern 44-6.
Chairman’s Cup: Norths def Fassifern 32-18.
Volunteers Cup: Goodna def Norths 48-20, Redbank def Bris Valley 24-18, Brothers def West End 34-22, Swifts def Rosewood 40-22.
Colts: Norths def Fassifern 38-14, Redbank def Rosewood 32-1.
Women: Goodna def Runaway Bay 20-10.
TAS First XV rugby: Players of the round as Canterbury, Columban’s cash in
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: Who were the top performers from an opening round that saw St Columban’s kickstart their premiership defence and Canterbury win a Logan Derby stunner? All you need to know here.
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: Players to watch this season
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby players to watch from all seven schools revealed here, including those involved in Saturday’s big Logan derby between John Paul College and Canterbury.