We reveal the key factors to Western Clydesdales’ mid-season turnaround

The Western Clydesdales have been on an upward trajectory over the last month after fighting through early season adversity. Now Clydesdales captain Emry Pere and coach Jason Alchin are determined to turn those solid performances into wins. See how they plan to do it here.

Western Clydesdales captain Emry Pere. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

After a forgettable opening month of the season, the Western Clydesdales have slowly turned their fortunes around this season with a series of strong performances.

However, they will face the ultimate test this weekend when they take on the ladder leading Northern Pride.

The Clydesdales lost their first five games of the season by an average of 30 points and conceded 100 points across rounds 4 and 5.

However, the round 8 clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins sparked a major shift in momentum and performances on the field from the Clydesdales as they picked up a thrilling 32-30 win at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Since that unforgettable clash against the Dolphins, the Clydesdales have not looked back and while they have yet to pick up another win, they have lost their last four games by an average of just seven points.

After a strong performance against the PNG Hunters where the Clydesdales suffered a 28-22 defeat, captain Emry Pere was proud of his side’s efforts but insisted there was still work to be done.

“It was a good effort but we still fell short so it was disappointing because we were right in it from the start and just our lapse and our errors killed us in the end,” Pere said.

“We just couldn’t capitalise on our opportunities, we had plenty of opportunities down on their tryline and just couldn’t put the icing on the cake and credit to PNG, I thought their defence was pretty good on their line which kept us out.”

Pere said the change in performances has come largely down to an increased focus on the defensive side of the game.

“Just prioritising our defence, it has been a big key for us,” he said.

“It has definitely improved but in saying that we are still losing games, we just need to be better in that area.”

Emry Pere makes a tackle during the Western Clydesdales’ round 7 clash with Norths Devils. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

Clydesdales coach Jason Alchin was proud of the way his side has fought through adversity but like Pere, wants his side to be more than just competitive and start turning the strong performances into wins.

“As I always said with these blokes, they will always have a go and they will compete but the problem is we don’t get two points for competing, we’ve got to win the games,” Alchin said.

“I know you don’t win games by winning second halves but we won the second half 12-4. “There was a bit there where they (PNG) scored those three quick tries and we just got to work on that against a very good strong side Pride.”

Alchin pinpointed a shift in attitude as well as the rise of young local stars as major reasons why his side has been able to turn their performances around.

Kaden Buhse is one of the local stars to have shone for the Western Clydesdales in recent weeks. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

“I think it is attitude and the guys are actually listening to us, we’re all talking and were all wanting to become better and that’s what showed out there,” he said.

“We’ve used about three or four of the local boys again this year and they’re doing well.

“It takes a year and a half to two years to know what this competition’s all about and that’s where we are.

“We’ll just keep using these young fellas and let’s hope in three or four years time they are here and they’re playing 60, 70 games of Queensland Cup.

“When we came here we knew it was going to be a four or five year plan and we’ve only been in this comp for a year and a half and a lot of these blokes haven’t played Queensland Cup before so I couldn’t be happier but it’s is like anything, we all want to win.”

Pere believed a touch of extra class in attack could be the difference needed to turn competitive games into wins.

“(We need to) put the icing on the cake with every opportunity we get on their tryline.

“I think that is what is letting us down at the moment.

“I think if we fix that up we can definitely get some more wins.”