Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins NRL star Jarrod Wallace signs with Dalby Diehards in country Queensland
A 200-plus game NRL star, who was still playing professional footy last year, has inked a deal with a country Queensland club making them an instant title contender. Details here.
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Brisbane Broncos star Andrew McCullough baited the hook and now Dalby Diehards have reeled in the ‘big fish’ player they’ve been chasing nearly all year.
The addition of 212-game NRL veteran Jarrod Wallace makes the Diehards an instant contender in the race for the Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A-grade premiership.
Wallace – who played for the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins in the NRL and Catalan Dragons in Super League – is set to play his first game for his new club this weekend.
“It’s a massive result for the club,” Diehards president Dan Manley said.
“We were talking to Andrew McCullough earlier this year about players he knew who might be interested in joining the club and Jarrod was one of the first names he mentioned.
“We really wanted him for round 1 this season but family and work commitments prevented that.
“He’s here now though and we’re very excited to have a player of his calibre on board.”
Manley believes the addition of the Wallace will have immediate and long term effects on the club.
Wallace’s high work rate and clever movement around the ruck will add a new layer to the team’s forward play and inspire the team’s young stars.
“He fits perfectly into our focus as a club,” Manley said.
“He is only 33 and was still playing professional footy last year so he’s in his prime. His work rate will be a boost and he’s a clever runner which I think will open up more chances for Woodie (Diehards fullback Chris Woodbridge).
“Our younger players will grow an extra leg with him out there as well.
“The first graduates of our Devils to Diehards pathway program are playing A-grade now. Having someone like Jarrod there to work with and learn from will be massive for them.”
Wallace’s first home game for Diehards will be against Warwick Cowboys on Saturday, July 19. Kick off for the match, which is also the club’s annual Ladies Day fundraiser, is 6.30pm.
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Originally published as Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins NRL star Jarrod Wallace signs with Dalby Diehards in country Queensland
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