Clydesdales report card: We grade the Hostplus Cup team’s efforts

As we approach the halfway point of the competition, we take a look at how the Western Clydesdales have fared in their inaugural season to date. Read the report below.

Western Clydesdales players (from left) Jordan Lipp, Mitchell Watson, Brock Diment and Drew Timms celebrate a Jordan Lipp try against Northern Pride in Hostplus Cup rugby league at Clive Berghofer Stadium, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

After a more than decade long absence the Western Clydesdales returned to the Hostplus Cup, Queensland’s elite rugby league competition, this year.

After building a squad from scratch late in 2022 the side have experienced all the highs and lows rugby league has to offer.

At the midway point of the season we’ve run the rule of the squad.

Here’s our Western Clydesdales report card looking at five keys areas of ‘performance’.

Local Opportunities A

The Clydesdales have done remarkably well considering they had less than a year to build a squad and prepare themselves for life in the Hostplus Cup.

Announced as the 15th Hostplus Cup side in July of 2022, the Clydesdales have done an exceptional job of signing the region’s best talent and bringing new players to club.

On the ‘local’ front a number of players have proven to be astute signings for the club.

Utility back Brock Diment has been a star pupil, making the step up from Valleys TRL A-grade, and looking like a seasoned veteran in the process.

Finally given the opportunity at cup level TRL veterans Cory McGrady and Matt Duggan have proven they can play at the elite level and shown age is only a number.

Most impressively Mitch Watson has burst onto the scene leading the Hostplus Cup tryscorers list with 13.

Just as importantly the Clydesdales have bought some of Toowoomba and South West Queensland’s best players home.

Todd White (Ipswich Jets), Hugh Sedger (Ipswich Jets/Northern Pride), Jordan Lipp (Townsville Blackhawks) and Hnaloan Budden (Ipswich Jets) jumped at the chance to return home when the Clydesdales returned after a more than decade long absence.

The Clydesdales know that to succeed, they need the backing from the locals, which they will have, as long as the side is representative of the region.

Competitiveness B-

You cannot knock the effort and heart of the side, as they have, for the most part, been in the fight till the final whistle.

Making big plays and putting together comebacks, the side have a never-say die attitude when their backs are up against the wall.

Western Clydesdales captain Darryn Schonig during a break in play against Northern Pride in Hostplus Cup rugby league at Clive Berghofer Stadium, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Attack C+

The Clydesdales have been solid in attack.

The likes of Melino Fineanganofo, Bessie Toomaga, Watson, and Lipp have proven a handful for opposition defences and the Clydesdales are ranked in the league in points for.

Unfortunately they have had a plethora of attacking chances go begging with untimely errors and poor final decisions in attacking sets costing them points and in some cases wins.

It’s all bad for the Clydesdales though with Watson leading the try scorers, McGrady third in try assists (15) and Toomaga the cup’s sixth highest point scorer with 88 points.

Defensive lapses D+

All too often the Clydesdales have been their own worst enemies this season.

By their own admission they have had several defensive lapses, periods of 10-15 minutes in matches that have ultimately cost them good chances at securing wins.

Of most concern is their slow starts

In the opening 10 minutes of their games they have conceded 72 points or 20% of their overall points against total.

Win/loss record

With just the two wins to their name, the Clydesdales are 13th ahead of the Mackay Cutters and the winless Ipswich Jets – the only team they have beaten this season.

The Clydesdales however should have at least three more wins to their name after four point losses to Tweed Seagulls and Brisbane Tigers and a two point loss to the Northern Pride.

Wins in those matches would only push them up to the 12th, equal on points but beyond on points differential with the Townsville Blackhawks, but it would better show they effort they have put in this season.

A round 1 win over the PNG Hunters – the Clydesdales lost 20-10, combined with wins in the previously mentioned games would have the side sitting pretty in 10th spot.

Overall grade: C

All things considered, the Clydesdales are probably sitting where the majority of punters would have expected.

It is hard for any side to be truly competitive with less than a year to build and prepare a squad

It is even harder when that squad has zero active NRL rostered players in its ranks and is up against sides littered with elite talent.

With plenty of the season left and ample time for improvement, the Clydesdales will be able to use their experiences from the first half of the season and establish a plan moving forward that will result in wins and more importantly a winning culture.

*Statistics in this report card were accurate as of publishing.