NRRRL Mustangs ready for Lower Clarence across all grades

The team is very competitive and are looking forward to this weekend’s match against Lower Clarence, but there’s a reason why players stick with this club.

MUSTANGS WOMEN: When the Murwillumbah Mustangs Ladies League Tag team plays Lower Clarence in Yamba ton May 16, there's bound to be some spectacular footy for NRRRRL Fans.

As the Murwillumbah Mustangs prepare their teams to play away at Yamba against Lower Clarence on Sunday, May 16, club vice president Andrew Kirby reckons it going to an absolute cracker of a day.

“It’s always great to play at Yamba,” Kirby said.

“Lower Clarence are a great club with really good people, so no matter the score, we always have a beer together afterwards.”

Kirby said the Mustangs are training well and putting in the hard yards in order to remain competitive in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.

He said this weekend their U18s will have a bye, while A Grade, Reserves and Ladies League Tag are ready to rock and roll.

He said while it’s going to be a good year for all their grades, it will be very interesting for the Mustangs Ladies League Tag squad, as several long-time members have retired.

“We have a mix of very experienced players with a mostly quite young side this year,” he said.

“Our women have been in the LLT for the five years it has been going and in 2021 we have quite a few 17 and 18 year olds.

“The LLT coach is Scott Vickery who was part of our original A Grade back in 1990 and these women are amazing, I know they will play really well.”

Kirby said in the Men’s A Grade, coach Nathan Jordon was again ensuring the players tick all the boxes ahead of this important game on Sunday.

“In the A Grade we do have a few big boppers,” he said.

“Our players are always up for game, are always very competitive, we never lie down.”

NRRRL: Murwillumbah Mustangs first grade front rower Dan Turland is looking forward to playing against Lower Clarence in Yamba on Sunday May 16, 2021,

A genuine sense of brother – and now sister – hood is one of the Murwillumbah Mustangs strengths, Kirby said.

“We are a really close-knit club, we are all extremely good friends and the majority of us have grown up together,” he said.

“Many of our players in the U18s, Reserves and A Grade have made the natural progression and have come up from the Murwillumbah Colts junior club, and we try to give back with some of our players helping out with their coaching.”

MUSTANG: Murwillumbah Mustangs first grade full back Liam Cuzack will line up against Lower Clarence in Yamba on Sunday May 16, 2021,

Another reason that players who join the Mustangs tend to stick with the club is that the coaches are willing to give the younger players who show commitment, a go in the big time.

“Nathan Jordon is not afraid to give an 18-year-old kid a shot at first grade,” Kirby said.

“And out Reserves team is a good mix of players in their 30s as well as those in their 20s, that combination of more experienced players stepping back and fresh blood coming up.

“At the Mustangs we retain well, you come to play with us and you stay, we are every family orientated.

“Passionate about rugby league and our club community, that's what the Murwillumbah Mustangs are.”

Ahead of their two-hour drive to Yamba on Sunday, Kirby said none of the teams were taking the game lightly.

“Lower Clarence got beaten by Kyogle last weekend but we are not assuming anything,” he said.

“Like the Mustangs, they are a great club, very competitive and play in the spirit of the game and you get a great game of football at every grade.

“Plus their crowd has a passionate fan base.”

NRRRL Draw Round 3 Sunday May 16, 2021

Lower Clarence Vs Murwillumbah at Yamba Sporting Complex

Northern Unites Vs Bilambil at Bilambil East Sports Field

Kyogle Vs Marist Bros at New Park, Kyogle

Evans Head Vc Byron Bay at tan Pyne Oval, Evans Head

Casino Vs Cudgen at Queen Elizabeth Park 3, Casino

Ballina Vs Tweed Coast at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina

BYE – Mullumbimby