Fassifern Colts mentor encourages country youth after tough year

While praising his Fassifern players for their commitment, coach Shane Gillett said the Rosewood club deserved recognition for their efforts. See why the Roosters received a shout-out.

EVEN after a massive win, some well-timed encouragement can go a long way.

That was the case in the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final where Fassifern coach Shane Gillett quickly urged the beaten Rosewood team to soldier on.

Fassifern had just beaten the winless Roosters 60-0 to advance to the preliminary final against either the Norths Tigers or Redbank Plains Bears in a fortnight.

Goal line action from the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final between Fassifern and Rosewood at the North Ipswich Reserve. Picture: Bruce Clayton

But while praising his Fassifern players for their commitment, Gillett said the Rosewood club deserved recognition for their efforts in an important development age group.

“It (the big win) is good for the confidence (of Fassifern) but I just want to say thank you for Rosewood,’’ Gillett said.

“They turned up every week and without them, we wouldn’t have a competition, so thank you to them for sticking it out.

“For them to keep turning up each week, it’s been a credit to them.’’

Action from the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final between w Fassifern and Rosewood at the North Ipswich Reserve. Picture: Bruce Clayton

As for his team, Gillett was also pleased to see his players working together, especially after a spate of recent injuries.

“It’s been a few years since we’ve had a Colts team so it’s good seeing a lot of our juniors coming through the ranks,’’ Gillett said.

“Most of them have come from under 7s all the way through so it’s excellent to see.

“A lot of them are in year 12 going through their last year of school so they are going well.’’

Terrific tackling work during the Colts elimination final between Fassifern and Rosewood. Picture: Bruce Clayton

Fassifern headed into Sunday’s elimination final with five wins, a draw and five losses.

“It’s been a good season,’’ Gillett said.

“We’ve had a few injuries but we are hanging in there and going well - they are a good bunch of boys.’’

Highlights from first weekend of footy finals

A Fassifern player scores a try during the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final against Rosewood Picture: Bruce Clayton

As for his preferred preliminary final opponent, Gillett offered a measured response.

“We’ll wait and see what happens there. It doesn’t matter,’’ he said, planning to watch this weekend’s major semi-final.

Among Fassifern’s best in a fine team effort was hooker Billy Goetsch, who kicked eight conversions in the 11 try-scoring performance.

“Billy was a bit on fire today,’’ the coach said.

“I thought he must have had a few practises at home being in lockdown. He did well.’’

Tenacious tacklilng at the North Ipswich Reserve. Picture: Bruce Clayton

Gillett is also working with Fassifern head coach Cam Wallace in nurturing the players of the future.

Former centre Gillett was coached by Wallace in the 1990s.

“We’ve had a bit of fun this year with him coming back coaching A-Grade,’’ Gillett said.

Asked whether his coaching style was giving the players a free rein or cracking the proverbial whip, Gillett answered: “A bit of both’’.

“They are 19. They know how to play football and we try to keep that structure and let them do what they need to do,’’ he said.

Action from the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final between Fassifern and Rosewood at the North Ipswich Reserve. Picture: Bruce Clayton

“Our support play was outstanding (against Rosewood) and that’s what we were trying to do today so it was a really good team effort.’’

Action from the Rugby League Ipswich Colts elimination final between Fassifern and Rosewood. Picture: Bruce Clayton

In the earlier C-Grade elimination final, Brisbane Valley advanced to the next stage of the playoffs after a thrilling 22-20 win over Swifts.