Wyong captain-coach Todd Lewis to play 100th game for club in Central Coast semi-final

After a whirlwind rise, premiership glory and having opponents on Tazos, Wyong captain-coach Todd Lewis will bring up a huge milestone in the semi-final clash against Terrigal.

Todd Lewis passing the ball as the Wyong Roos host Terrigal Sharks in Round 13 of the Central Coast Rugby League Division First Grade at Morry Breen Oval on Saturday, 7th of August, 2022 in Kanwal, NSW Australia. (Photo by Paul Barkley/LookPro)

All semi-finals are special, but this weekend’s elimination final between Wyong and Terrigal is likely to have that extra little bit of meaning for Roos’ captain-coach Todd Lewis, who will line up in his 100th first grade game for the club.

After first joining the Roos in the under-11s, the 29-year-old’s milestone builds on a near two-decade relationship with Wyong.

“It’s been pretty special and I finally get to see it out now,” he said.

The playmaker has had quite the career in green and gold, representing the club in both the local first grade competition and the NSW Cup.

In fact, his introduction to senior football back in 2012 was quite a whirlwind for Lewis, who was left star struck after a rapid progression through the junior ranks.

Todd Lewis will play his 100th first grade game for Wyong against Terrigal in the elimination semi-final. (Photo by Paul Barkley/LookPro)

“I didn’t get to play a grade game. I went from the under-18s, then my first trial was a NSW Cup game against the Canberra Raiders,” he said.

“I still remember the (opposition) backrower I had was Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and I still had his Tazos to sign after the game. It was special, and it was crazy to think that it was 11 years ago. It goes way too quick.”

Aside from sharing the field with former NRL players, Lewis has also played in two grand final-winning sides in 2014 and 2016.

“That was amazing to win those comps, I feel very lucky to have been a part of them,” he said.

Following the 2016 win Lewis spent a few years at Northlakes and Terrigal, something he describes as a “mate break”, before returning to captain-coach his junior club in 2021.

Lewis (right) has won two grand finals with the club. Picture: supplied

To this season, and with Wyong sitting four points outside of the top four after a tough opening eight rounds, Lewis drew on his previous experiences in the green and gold to inspire the team’s charge up the ladder.

“We just let the boys know that we only had six games to go, and if we want to be playing semi-finals come August then we’ve got to win either four of the six and wait on other results, or win all of our games to confirm our spot in the semis,” he said.

“Our theme was: ‘No talk, just actions’,” Lewis added, “and I think that was a bit of a rev up of what they needed.”

It certainly had the desired effect, with Wyong going on to win five of their last six games, including wins over fellow premiership contenders Erina and this weekend’s opponents Terrigal.

In fact, their only loss since then came last week, when the Roos were beaten 22-20 by the resurgent Woy Woy Roosters.

Lewis playing in Wyong’s grand final win over Berkeley Vale.

The run has reminded Lewis of the club’s 2014 premiership season and given him plenty of confidence that the Roos can repeat history.

“It’s funny, last time we were in this position we won the comp in 2014, so although that’s a little while ago, for a couple of us older boys it was refreshing to say that we’ve been here before and we know what to do,” he said.

With captain-coach Dean Amos at the helm, Lewis was one of the younger players in a team that also featured future NRL players Jacob Liddle and Adam Keighran.

“We just scraped into the semis in fifth spot and then just went five in a row,” he said.

“We knocked off Terrigal in the first semi and they had an absolutely star-studded line-up, and then went on to beat Berkeley Vale (8-6 in the grand final) who were favourites with players like Alex Moore, Jimmy Davis, Steve Lyons and all of those calibre of players.

“Again, the big thing was that we just wanted to make sure we were having fun while we were playing, we had nothing to lose. But that was another team where we had just a bunch of young kids – except for Deano who was the coach.”

The Roos are hoping to emulate their efforts from 2014. Picture: Sue Graham

And as Lewis prepares for his 100th first grade game for Wyong, he said the body and mind are hopeful for plenty more for the club.

“I still feel like I’ve got a few more years in me, which is a good thing, until I get that tap on the shoulder,” he said.

“Fingers crossed I get the chance to run around next year and if I get the chance to captain-coach again I’d be very grateful.”

But before next year, there’s the next game, with the captain-coach hoping to write another chapter in his wonderful Wyong legacy.

And just like that magical season nine years ago, the first finals clash will be against the Sharks.

Wyong face off with Terrigal in the elimination semi-final at Ted Doyle Oval on Saturday at 3:05pm.