Injuries cripple CQ Capras’ shot at Hostplus Cup finals

They’ve played finals footy for the past three years but the Capras now languish second last on the Q-Cup ladder. Coach Lionel Harbin offers a very frank assessment.

CQ Capras' head coach Lionel Harbin. Photo: Luke Fletcher

CQ Capras’ coach Lionel Harbin is never one to make excuses but few could argue there is a very good reason his team is languishing in second last on the Q-Cup ladder.

A disastrous injury toll has meant the Capras have not fielded the same line-up once since their opening fixture on March 16.

They have lost their past five games, which included a 56-12 thumping by the Redcliffe Dolphins in their last outing.

It would take a minor miracle for them to be playing finals footy, something they’ve done for the past three seasons, but that is not something Harbin is thinking about.

“There’s no talk of finals, there’s no looking at ladders,” he said.

CQ Capras' co-captain Tyler Szepanowski makes a charging run. Photo: Luke Fletcher

“I know a lot of people on the outside will want to talk about that but we can’t get caught up in it.

“For us, it’s every week, every session just getting better. That’s what we need to do.

“We’re a young side, we lost a lot of experience from last year, so it’s a matter of us learning what it takes to win football games.

“A lot of the guys in our squad wouldn’t have played 10 games so we just need to stick together and keep working hard and we’ll come out the other side.”

CQ Capras’ head coach Lionel Harbin.

This was always going to be a rebuilding year for the Capras, who lost plenty of experience with the retirement of skipper Jack Madden, and the departure of Lachlan Hubner, Trey Brown and Jesse Jennings.

However, the affiliation with the Dolphins NRL club and the recruitment of some young talent had Harbin anticipating an exciting season.

“I remember saying to the group after our first game that we’re only going to get better with the more football we play together,” he said.

“But we haven’t been able to do that due to injuries.

“We’ve been constantly disrupted and it’s been really hard to get any continuity.”

Co-captain Blake Moore has been a big out for the Capras.

Co-captain Blake Moore, who was part of the team’s new halves pairing, was the first on the casualty list, suffering a medial cruciate ligament just weeks into the season.

He is yet to return, meaning Harbin has had to try different players in the seven jersey in his absence.

The Capras then lost the star duo of outside back Cooper Marshall (sternum) and back rower Larson Dale-Doyle (knee) for lengthy stints.

Cooper Marshall will make a welcome return this weekend.

Marshall will be back for this weekend’s clash with the Mackay Cutters, while Dale-Doyle is still out.

Five-eighth Aaron Moore has also been forced to spend several weeks on the sidelines.

Harbin praised back rower Nixon Putt, saying he had been “phenomenal” in the way he had stepped up in the absence of those key players.

“He doesn’t do it with words, he does it with his actions - the way he trains and the way he plays,” he said.

“He’s been really professional in the way he’s approached his footy this year and it’s shown in his performances.”

The CQ Capras were thumped 56-12 in their Round 13 clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins at Rockhampton's Rugby Park.

Injuries aside, Harbin couldn’t help but be disappointed with his team’s performance against Redcliffe.

“It certainly wasn’t at the standard that we’ve set ourselves so we’ve got to all be better,” he said.

“I can say that after that game there’s been a big shift in attitude.

“I can feel it at training, the way the players have come in and approached things.

“They all want to turn things around. We’ve got a really committed group that’s going to stay connected and work hard to put in better performances.”

Back rower Nixon Putt has been leading the way for the injury-riddled Capras. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Harbin is keen to see that reflected on Saturday against the Mackay Cutters.

The Capras got the better of their northern rivals in Round 3 in one of just their two wins so far.

“It’s all about effort. We lacked that in our last game in a lot of key areas and that’s what we’re after this week,” Harbin said.

“We want one through to 17 having effort in everything they do, on both sides of the footy.

“Generally, when you do that you give yourself an opportunity to perform well and that’s what we’re after.”

The game kicks off at 4pm at Mackay’s BB Print Stadium, after the women’s clash between the two clubs at 2pm.

Originally published as Injuries cripple CQ Capras’ shot at Hostplus Cup finals