Helensvale president Karl Wernham discusses key moment in quest for maiden premiership

THEY stand on the brink of a breakthrough Gold Coast District Rugby Union crown after back-to-back semi final triumphs. But the seeds of Helensvale success were sown almost eight years ago.

THEY stand on the brink of a breakthrough Gold Coast District Rugby Union crown after back-to-back semi final triumphs.

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But Helensvale president Karl Wernham says the seeds of the Hogs’ success were sown almost eight years ago.

“It all probably started back in 2012 when Derek Todd was appointed as rugby director. He’s a good operator and we made the finals that year and built from there,” Wernham said.

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With Todd also serving as A grade coach in 2012-13, his appointment kickstarted a concerted Helensvale push to develop their own talent, beginning at the junior level.

In 2014, they qualified for a second top-flight grand final – a game they would lose to Gold Coast Eagles – and also claimed their first club championship.

Helensvale coach Taione Vea. Picture: Richard Gosling

Now, five years on, they have the chance to end their 32-year premiership wait in Saturday’s title decider against Griffith University Colleges at Bond University.

“It’d be the biggest thing (in club history). It was pretty huge when we won the club championship for the first time in 2014 but this would definitely trump that,” Wernham, now in his third year as Hogs president, said.

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“I’m really proud. We started to build from within (in 2012) and bring the second and third grade players up and the juniors up.

“To see how hard Taione (Vea, coach) has been working with the boys, I couldn’t have asked for a better year really. Taione has been huge.

“There’s no bulls**t. You turn up two nights to train or you don’t play, it doesn’t matter who you are.

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“There’s been some big names on the bench and in the reserves for us this year. The culture has been awesome.”

Vea has been charged with steering the Hogs through the 2019 campaign after taking over from former player-coach Tonga Lea’aetoa.

Wernham said last year’s playing group “just didn’t gel” and could see the similarities between Helensvale and a Colleges side chasing a second-straight premiership.

“Last year was pretty frustrating when we got bundled out in the semi final. The boys just didn’t quite click,” he said.

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“I think Colleges are a bit like us - they work really hard off the field as well. They’re definitely worthy of being there (in the grand final) for the right reasons.”