Capras’ head coach Lionel Harbin says there’s ‘a lot of positive signs heading forward’ for the rugby league club

The men and women both made the finals this year and the under-21s are into this weekend’s preliminary final. Capras head coach Lionel Harbin shares his thoughts on what’s been an outstanding 2022 season here.

The CQ Capras' three senior teams - the men. women and the under-21s - all made the finals of their respective statewide rugby league competitions in season 2022.

It has been a memorable year for the CQ Capras’ senior teams - and the finals dream is still alive for the club’s under-21s.

They will take on the Redcliffe Dolphins at 5.05pm Saturday in the Hastings Deering Colts grand final qualifier in Redcliffe.

The Kane Hardy-coached outfit has had the luxury of a week off after they downed minor premiers Wynnum Manly Seagulls 24-20 in week one of the finals.

The CQ Capras under-21s are just one win away from the Hastings Deering Colts grand final.

The club’s women went from second last in 2021 to BHP Premiership runners-up this year.

They all but had the trophy in their grasp before being denied by a last-minute try by the North Queensland Gold Stars in the June decider.

The Capras’ men’s finals campaign came to an end at the weekend at the hands of Q-Cup minor premiers, the Burleigh Bears.

They were beaten 32-16 in week two of the finals but head coach Lionel Harbin said, as they had done all season, they kept fighting to the end.

The CQ Capras finished as minor premiers but suffered a heartbreaking loss in the last minute of the BHP Premiership grand final.

The men, too, enjoyed an incredible change of fortune.

Wooden spooners in 2021, they made it to the final series this year for just the third time in the competition’s 26-year history.

Harbin said season 2022 had been a great one for the Capras.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve; I’m proud of all the staff that have made that happen and the players obviously,” he said.

“We’ve set the benchmark now of what we want to achieve as a club and it’s something we can keep building on.

CQ Capras’ head coach Lionel Harbin says there’s exciting thing ahead for the club after an outstanding 2022 season.

“There’s a lot of positive signs heading forward so I’m excited about what lies ahead for this club.”

One of the most significant developments is the Capras’ full affiliation with NRL club, the Dolphins, which comes into play next year.

Harbin said that would “add to what we’ve created this year”.

“The relationship with the Dolphins - with our players being able to go down there and get train and trials and us getting Dolphins players back - it’s just going to add to what we’ve already started building,” he said.

“Getting players back with that NRL experience or who train full-time will help with the development of our players as well so we’re looking forward to that.”

Jamie Hill (left) and Tyler Szepanowski were two of the CQ Capras’ best in their finals showdown with the Burleigh Bears last weekend. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Harbin, who was in his first year at the helm with the men, said he could not be prouder of their performance.

All season long he lauded their willingness, their determination and their positive attitude.

“It’s just the character this side has - they’re never beaten, they’ll keep fighting to the end and they did that again at the weekend,” he said.

“That’s one thing that really stands out for me.

“Overall, I’m very happy with the season we’ve had.”

Originally published as Capras’ head coach Lionel Harbin says there’s ‘a lot of positive signs heading forward’ for the rugby league club