Mustangs hurting with season cancellation

THE Western Mustangs will be without football for the remainder of 2020 following a QRL decision to cancel the year ahead.

Sam Gillespie is tackled in the QRL Mal Meninga Cup game between Souths Logan Magpies and Western Mustangs. Photo: AAP Image/Renae Droop

RUGBY LEAGUE: As soon as it started, the Western Mustangs season came to a crashing halt.

Queensland Rugby League on Friday made the decision to cancel all four statewide competitions for 2020.

This means that for the U18s in the Mal Meninga Cup and the U20s competing in the Hastings Deering Colts, their year is over.

It mirrors a decision south of the border in New South Wales, with their statewide competitions cancelled.

For U20s coach Eugene Seddon, he said while he was shocked of the decision to put a close to the season, there were bigger things at play than football.

“Initially I was shocked, and that turned to a bit of disappointment,” Seddon said.

“We had a real solid foundation as a group and we were expecting big things from ourselves which were cut so short.

“At the same time I realised that there’s things on at the moment that are a bit bigger than rugby league.”

The playing group shared in the emotional rollercoaster that the current situation is taking people on.

Seddon said that he has been in contact with his players, some of whom were experiencing more hurt than just not being able to play on weekends.

“There was shock and disappointment within the group,” he said.

“They were really prepared for the season and we thought that we could go a long way. Finals was always our goal.

“I’ve touched base and will do so again in the next few days just to check in.

“A few have lost their employment and I’m trying to support them as best I can emotionally.

“Right now a few are worrying about where their next bit of money will come from instead of kicking a football.”

Like a lot of people caught up in the crossfires of an ever-developing coronavirus situation, Seddon said he is unsure of what the future will hold from a football perspective.

“As far as moving forward with planning, I’m not entirely sure where I’m at with things. We just don’t know what things will be like with the future,” he said.

“You just don’t know what will come out of the wash.”

From a future perspective in regards to the Mustangs Intrust Super Cup bid, chairman Frank Martin said the path has become harder to push for inclusion in 2021.

“The QRL has told us that all competitions are finished for the year,” Martin said.

“We’re still hoping to make an application to be accepted into the ISC next year but realistically I now think our hopes have diminished. If we don’t then we will regather and concentrate and on gaining entry the following year (i.e. in 2022).

“We have to be able to guarantee a certain amount of funding in order to make the application for entry. The QRL’s provisional letter for entry in 2021 was dependant on us guaranteeing that amount.

“We were very positive in our attempts to gain that sponsorship but a lot of that depended on the success of the 18s and 20s this year.

“The way they were going, I expected them to going close to winning their respective competitions and that would’ve helped with sponsorships.

“The two coaches (Seddon and Brendan Wilson) had them firing. The U20s were unbeaten throughout their trials and drew their first round one game, and the U18s won their first game.

“Obviously at the moment with no games being played for the rest of the year and sponsors not being able to see them play it is very hard sell for us to be able to get them to come on board in these uncertain times.

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