Tradie paints a league masterpiece for Western Clydesdales

A painter is proving to be one of the Hostplus Cup’s most astute signings of 2023. After another masterclass with the boot and continuing his point-scoring escapades in their victory over the Jets, we spoke to Western Clydesdales RLFC centre Bessie Toomaga HERE.

Bessie Toomaga for Clydesdales. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Bessie Toomaga’s day job is about as far removed from the footy field as you can get.

The Samoan superstar, who has played every minute of every Hostplus Cup game for the Western Clydesdales this season, is a painter by day.

He has however proven to be one of the competition’s biggest signings.

“I grew up in Samoa and moved to Sydney with my family at 16 (years old), for better rugby league opportunities,” Toomaga, 26, said.

“I’ve played at a few clubs, so I’ve moved around a lot.

“But, that’s what you’ve got to do if you want to play footy, and that’s still my goal, to play in the NRL.

“I’m still living in Brisbane at the moment, so it’s a lot of driving that’s for sure.”

Western Clydesdales Bessie Toomaga and Cory Mcgrady celebrate Toomaga’s try against the PNG Hunters.

In 2019 Toomaga caught the eye of Brisbane Broncos officials.

Having made a name for himself in the Queensland Cup he was offered a train and trial deal but Covid cruelled his chances.

“I did have a train and trial with Broncos in 2019/2020, and it was going really well, but then Covid happened and I had to start from the beginning all over again,” he said.

Now carving out his own legacy with the Clydesdales, Toomaga is relishing in the opportunity to show he’s still got it.

“I feel like I’m back and playing my best footy,” Toomaga said.

“I’m coming off a knee injury, so it’s going well and I’m actually really enjoy myself out there, which is always important.”

Toomaga is also striving to be a leader and a figurehead of the fledgling side.

“I like to be a leader, and whether that is through me being vocal on the field, helping out some guys at training or just turning up during the game and playing well, I like showing everyone they can trust me,” he said.

Bessie Toomaga lines up a kick for the Central Queensland Capras.

“Everyone is tracking really nicely and we are really staring to gel as a side.

“We are building that trust between one another which is super important in a new side, especially since we have a lot of young and new players, in their first season at this level.”

As well as leading through his actions and play, Toomaga is a point scoring machine, having already racked up 44 points in just four games.

“I’m always hungry and hunting for tries,” Toomaga said.

“My goal is to score minimum one a game and if I can get two, that’s a nice bonus.

“I definitely prefer playing as a centre over wing because I prefer having the ball in my hand and dictating the play a bit more, making more of an impact I guess.”

“And with my kicking, I work on it a lot actually.

“I don’t just work on it at training but I also kick on my days off, ‘cause I want to have it near perfect for game day.”

Bessie and the Clydesdales will face his old side when they travel down the Brisbane Tigers this Sunday, 23 April, for their Round 6 game.