Dave McDuling a true NRC success story as he leads Brisbane City into grand final

LOCK Dave McDuling has made the most of playing every minute of every game for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Dave McDuling of Brisbane City controls the ball during the NRC Semi Final match between NSW Country and Brisbane City at Central Coast Stadium on October 24, 2014 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

DAVE McDuling is the bullocking 1.96m poster boy for success in the National Rugby Championship because he’s finally the lock the Reds signed three years ago.

His recent workrate of 27 ball-carries for 114m against the Greater Sydney Rams more resembled the huge stats read out of an NFL running back than a rugby lock.

He hits Saturday night’s final against Perth Spirit at Ballymore having played every minute of every game for Brisbane City in their nine-game run.

The value for McDuling has been immense because it is the stretch of form and impact that the Reds could never tap into when two knee reconstructions ruined 2012 and 2013.

His five Reds cameos earlier in the year were worth just 67 minutes so cranking out 720 minutes of intensity for Brisbane has primed him bigger things next year.

“It’s hard to get a rhythm when you are shifting between the bench and club footy so the NRC has been ideal to find the consistency and durability I’ve missed,” McDuling said.

“Having a more senior leadership role with the coach (Nick Stiles) sharpens you up in a lot of areas too.

Dave McDuling on the charge for Brisbane City.

“All the boys have enjoyed the higher level of the NRC, testing ourselves against guys from other cities and bringing a new team together successfully.

“When we wrote a team song from scratch everyone was reading the words off their phones the first week. Now, we belt it out no problem.”

McDuling, 25, sits the final exam for his commerce degree two days after the final so his career is advancing on both busy fronts.

“We knew what Dave was capable of when he was re-signed last year. His outstanding form in the NRC and calm direction as captain have just reinforced that,” Reds coach Richard Graham said.

A 7000-strong final crowd would be a strong vote for the NRC.

No lock in the NRC has made more metres (392), carried the ball as often (93) or charged over the gain-line as many times (45) as McDuling to go with effective tackling and general workrate.

That grunt will be needed up front where rivals Perth are strongest through Western Force regulars Sam Wykes, Pek Cowan and Brynard Stander.

Just as McDuling has used the NRC to get back into rhythm so has Perth winger Luke Morahan whose first season at the Western Force was derailed by a serious hamstring injury.

Originally published as Dave McDuling a true NRC success story as he leads Brisbane City into grand final