Sunshine Coast rugby union reserve grade coaches nominate their best players on and off the paddock

Every club has a player or two known for putting in the hard yards on the field and then backing it up in the clubhouse. Here’s a few who know how to celebrate.

Sunshine Coast rugby union reserve grade players Ash Platz, Luke Frisby and Tim Shadforth have been nominated by their coaches as having skills on the paddock and being able to back it up in the clubhouse.

Reserve grade sport at any club is known as the stomping ground for those players that just can't break into the top team.

Each team is usually has a few players who "could've made it pro but did their knee when they were younger" or who "could easily play a-grade but just don't want to".

Whatever the excuse is, one thing for sure is that some players, no matter the end result, know how to celebrate like they just won a grand final.

We asked coaches in the Sunshine Coast reserve grade rugby union competition which players they would class as an "ultimate reggie".

 

 

 

 

Caloundra Lighthouses

Scott Harper - reserve grade coach

Caloundra Lighthouses reserve grade players Regan Nutley (back), Riley Waugh (middle) and Joseph Gordon (front), celebrate their 2020 premiership win. Picture: Regan Nutley Instagram

Regan Nutley - blindside flanker

"He's probably one of the fittest blokes at the club, always puts in at training amongst the A-grade guys," Harper said.

"He can easily go a few days on the drink and is someone that is well deserving of sinking a few tins post match too."

Reserve grade player Luke Frisby celebrates his team’s victory in the 2020 final.

Luke Frisby - open side flanker

"Is another who wins a lot of our fitness drills and he's next level on the drink," Harper said.

"I wouldn't put it past him to perform well on a week long bender and still play his heart out come game day."

Tom Gorman - hooker

"To be fair he is probably the worst out of the lot," Harper said.

"Can get on the beers all night long but can then dust himself off to get up and run 15km the next day which really is amazing."

 

 

Nambour Toads

Bruce Heard - Reserve Grade Coach

Greg Pelka - second rower/number 8

"He is probably one of our hardest players at the club," Heard said.

"He's getting on a bit and is covered in strapping tape come game day but he always gives it 100 per cent on the field and 110 per cent off it at the bar."

Nambour coach Bruce Heard charges ahead during his playing days. Picture: Brett Wortman

Jackson Cowen - outside centre

"Jackson is an old league player but is doing really well for us at the moment and is arguably our breakthrough player of the year," Heard said.

"He is someone that can smash a tin or 20 post match which is an easy way to make yourself known at a new club."

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Noosa Dolphins

Mark Johnston - reserve grade coach

Harry Langbridge - halfback

"He is our utility back and our priority number 9 who is amongst the A-grade team as well," Johnston said.

"He's one of the youngest in the team and he is a really good clubman who came through our juniors and will do what's asked for him at training and on game day.

"He is our best player by far and he is also one of our top drinkers.

"He is always up for a wander down to Hastings Street on a Saturday night to run amok."

Anthony Herbert and Mark Johnston catch up at a Noosa Long Lunch at the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union ground.

Tom Cretney - second rower

"He is nickname of 'creature' suits him perfectly and he is a real icon of reserve grade footy," Johnston said.

"He is one of the toughest guys we've got in the field, always performs well and is a leader amongst the players.

"He's definitely a ratbag with his bald head and rubbish moustache.

"Both players are two of our better players and our biggest drinkers and partiers."

Maroochydore Swans reserve grade coach Pat O’Hare wrestles with a defender. Picture: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

Maroochydore Swans

Pat O'Hare - reserve grade coach

Tom Hills - centre

"Is a young player that is really starting to come good at the moment but this is more of a call out or a challenge to see what he's like on the drink after the game," O'Hare said.

"He hasn't shown us anything yet and everyone is wanting to see a bit more out of him post match."

Joel Lyndon has a run for Maroochydore Swans reserve grade. Picture: Joel Lyndon Instagram

Joel Lyndon - prop

"He is very solid player on the field and provides week in week out for our team," O'Hare said.

"He is also very solid off the field as well.

"His performance at the bar each week speaks for itself."

University Vikings

Shane Tehuia - reserve grade coach

Shane Tehuia (with ball) on the charge in a match between Stingrays and University. Photo: Brett Wortman

Tim Shadforth - loose forward

"He is another that goes alright for our team and he loves a chat," Tehuia said.

"He's a bloke that doesn't stop talking so put a beer in his hand and he'll go until the sun rises."

Tim Shadforth winds down after a match for the University Vikings. Picture Tim Shadforth Instagram

Ash Platz - prop

"His nickname is poose which speaks for itself and he goes well each week for our team," Tehuia said.

"He's very well liked around the club and always finds himself at the bar once that full time whistle goes."

Reserve grade players Ash Platz, Matt Fairbairn and Jake Reidy celebrate at their club’s 2020 awards night. Picture Ash Platz Instagram

Caboolture Snakes

Todd Hoffman - reserve grade coach

Paul Smith - prop

"He is an absolute legend of our club and someone that is getting up there in terms of age," Hoffman said

"He goes alright on the field and is usually the ring leader on the piss after the game.

"Loves a cigar in the dressing room post game with the boys too."

Etu Ulutia - utility back

"Is tough as nails and goes full pelt each week for our team," Hoffman said.

"He plays the after game as hard as he does during the game."

 

Wynnum Bugs

Justin Coyler-Pooley - reserve grade coach

Josh Filimoehala - prop

"He is a young fella but he is the future of our club," Coyler-Pooley said.

"He is a great on our away games on the bus trips and he's a good bloke as well.

"His nickname amongst the players is 'Big Daddy' which paints a picture for you and he always loves a beer post match."

Hamish McDougall - outside back

"He is just a total clown to be honest," Coyler-Pooley said.

"He is another one that's always up and about each weekend and one of the only people I've seen trip over thin air while in open space.

"He's a top bloke and is well liked from everyone at the club."

Ricki Beange - number 8

"Is an old head and is one of our better players," Coyler-Pooley said.

"Has loads of experience and like the lot of them, he enjoys a few beers after the game."

Originally published as Sunshine Coast rugby union reserve grade coaches nominate their best players on and off the paddock