Armstrong embracing Goondiwindi freedom in hopes of progressing promising career

Covid cut short a stint with the Newcastle Knights, but the Goondiwindi young gun remains focused on making the big time.

David Armstrong has scored 29 tries for Goondiwindi in 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUGBY LEAGUE: If the TRL put out a dictionary, a picture of David Armstrong would appear under the word excitement.

The Goondiwindi fullback, who is still just 20 years old, has taken the competition by storm with his electrifying play.

It sees him sit atop the tryscorers list with 29 tries from just 14 games, and he credits the opportunity with being allowed to play without constraints as a big reason for that.
“There’s a good vibe out here with Travis (Waddell). He’s really got the boys firing and it’s a credit to what he’s doing around the club,” Armstrong said.

“It gives me free roam on the field to play my game. He gives me the confidence in doing things that’s not to our structure and playing what’s in front of me.

“That’s the kind of football I like.”

Along with five-eighth David McGrady, the duo have helped the Boars to top spot on the TRL Premiership standings approaching the final rounds of the competition.

“David is a quality player and just playing alongside him gives me confidence each week,” he said.

“If you follow Dave around the field, you can always expect something to happen.

“We look at each other and kind of just know when something’s on. It’s just instincts with us two, and we’ve got a good combo at the moment.”

Armstrong is well and truly on the radar of higher grades.

He unfortunately felt the full force of Covid last year, with the lockdowns prematurely ending a stint with the Newcastle Knights U20s.

“I went down to Newcastle at the end of the 2019 pre-season, did a pre-season there and dropped back to the 20s when the season started,’ he said.

“Once the year started, Covid hit and I moved back home after that because the season got cancelled.

“I was going to go down this year, but Newcastle didn’t have a 20s team, so I stayed here and played with Gundy.

“I loved it down there. There were great people and the club was very professional. I was well looked after and they made sure my family was informed of everything. It was just unfortunate that Covid hit.”

A representative with the Toowoomba Clydesdales during their XXXX League Championship campaign, Armstrong is hoping that his game can reach a higher level in the coming years.

“A few things have come up during this season and there’s the potential to move next year,” he said.

“I’m yet to decide. I’ll put all the options into a basket, go through it with the family and hopefully give it a crack again next year, whether in Queensland or New South Wales.

“Hopefully I get the chance at an NRL or (state) cup pre-season.”