Try scoring masterclass: Hooker scores 12 tries in five games with the Monaro Colts
Monaro Colts hooker Xavier Cacciotti has been untouchable in the Laurie Daley Cup this season, picking up a whopping 12 tries from just five appearances. Hear from the freak try scorer.
Canberra Star
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WHILE his side came up narrowly short against the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the Laurie Daley Cup final last weekend, Monaro Colts hooker Xavier Cacciotti caught a lot of eyes with his freak try scoring performance in the final and throughout the season.
Cacciotti scored a whopping twelve tries in five games from hooker for the Monaro Colts this season, five tries higher than his nearest competitors in the league of Toby Rumble and Jarrad Treweek of the Illawarra South Coast Dragons.
Coach Brendan Bradley said that the influence Cacciotti has on his Colts side is incredible.
“He was massive for us this year,” Bradley said.
“We’re a different team when he’s on the park.
“He brings everything, he generates our ruck speed and gets us on the front foot.
“The tries are a bonus.”
Cacciotti scored all four tries in his side’s 26-24 grand final loss to the Dragons, incredibly meaning that the hooker crossed for eight tries in two appearance against the champion Dragons side this year, having crossed for another four in round two.
Cacciotti has impressed enough to be recruited to the Canberra Raiders SG Ball Cup side, where he has already made two bench appearances this season and is gearing up to play again this week against the Balmain Tigers.
Strangely, Cacciotti says that this freak try scoring run he’s been on has only kicked off this season with the Monaro Colts.
“I guess I just really wanted to win this season,” Cacciotti said.
“I’ve taken every opportunity possible and it seems to have paid off.”
The star hooker has found a winning formula in the ‘dummy-half burrow’ from close range, with defences unable to handle the quickness and unpredictability of his movement.
“The secret is to just get your head down, go at 100 miles an hour and pray,” Cacciotti said.
The elusive hooker now returns to the Raiders SG Ball Cup side where he hopes to push for a starting spot next season, with NRL footy being the dream for the young gun.
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