Cordwell emerges from Falcons dark days to undefeated start

After years of dark days, prop Marty Cordwell is in outstanding form and enjoying his time in the sun

Sunshine Coast Falcons against Norths at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Falcons forward Martin Cordwell. Picture: Warren Lynam

RUGBY LEAGUE: Marty Cordwell looks at his Falcons skipper Dane Hogan, despite busting his gut in training, to share a laugh.

The pair have been through plenty together, there for the cellar-dwelling years and the pain of losing James Ackerman.

There for the ecstasy into agony of 2017's grand final loss to PNG Hunters.

Cordwell was 18th man that day, watching his teammates go down in the dying seconds.

Even since, he's struggled for game time, quietly going about his business with junior club Nambour Crushers.

Until now.

This year the prop forward has started every game under new coach Eric Smith and has helped the Falcons to sit atop of the table.

"I love playing Queensland Cup, I've wanted to ever since I was five years old,” Cordwell, 29, said.

"It was my goal since childhood.”

Between 2011 and 2014, the Sunshine Coast only strung together nine wins.

Cordwell was in and out of the competition, sticking it out. Now he's cemented his role.

"This is the best start to a season since under-16s at Nambour I think,” he said.

"I can't remember any other year that we have all gelled together so well. We have great people and staff at this club.

"It started with pre-season too, it was very intense but one of the best.

"Whether it was the warm up or a little game, we were made to work. There were no negatives.”

Smith and Falcons CEO Chris Flannery rate Cordwell's season as "outstanding”.

Cordwell stressed that the hard yards and sorry seasons set in stone the current results.

"One thing this club was built around was giving our all,” he said.

"Those tougher years laid the foundations. Having Melbourne with a similar culture really pushed us.

"Eric likes to win at everything and he makes us fight for everything.

"Me and Hoges laugh about it. It's going so well.”