Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership team’s mid-season report card

As we approach the second half of the 2024 BMD Premiership season, we take a dive into the first half of the Western Clydesdales’ season in our mid-season report card. See how we graded the side here and who has starred.

Sarah Hoger for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

As we reach the halfway point of the 2024 BMD Premiership season, we take a look at how the Western Clydesdales are travelling with our mid-season report card.

After five games, the Clydesdales are currently sixth on the ladder, with two wins, two losses and one draw and are just two points behind the second-placed Tweed Seagulls - who they face this weekend.

Check out our report card featuring grades on attack, defence, backline, forwards and mentality and game management.

Attack

The Clydesdales’ attack could be split into two key areas with vastly different grades.

When they hold the ball and are efficient, they are one of the best attacking sides in the competition and always look like a threat of crossing over.

The backline has some supreme talent and Ali Brigginshaw’s prowess in the halves has meant that whenever the Clydesdales are within 20m of the opposition’s tryline, they look extremely threatening.

However, one of the only negatives from the Clydesdales’ start to the season has been their issues with completing sets.

In the games where they have dominated and picked up wins, their completion-rate has been strong, but in the three games they haven’t come away with a win, they have struggled to complete sets.

If the Clydesdales can complete their sets on a more consistent basis, then they will boast one of the scariest offences in the competition and will go along way towards clinching a finals spot.

Grade: B

Tara Reinke makes a tackle for the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership side against the Brisbane Tigers. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

Defence

Defence has been one of the Clydesdales strongest aspects this season.

Aside from their 34-6 defeat to the undefeated Mackay Cutters in round 5 where they were missing key players, the Clydesdales for the most part have impressed while defending their own line.

Even in the clash with the Cutters, the Clydesdales were strong defensively for the majority of the contest, but fatigue after making multiple errors with the ball eventually caught up and the league-leaders scored three tries in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

From their five games, the Clydesdales have conceded 94 points, with only Mackay (64), Tweed (86) and Wynnum Manly (78) conceding less this season.

Grade: A

Keeley Davis for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Forwards

The Clydesdales’ forwards have been a force to be reckoned with this season.

From the young guns, to the experienced heads, all the forwards have made their presence felt this season.

Arguably the most telling point of the forwards’ strength this season has been the fact Steph Hancock has been used off the bench when the Clydesdales are at full strength.

Against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Tigers, her X-factor off the bench turned the momentum in favour of the Clydesdales.

Tara Reinke and Kezie Apps have made countless big tackles throughout the season, while young guns Mackenzie Zellar and Jessikah Reeves have also been pivotal.

Once New South Wales Origin reps Apps and Keeley Davis return for the final few games of the season, the Clydesdales forward pack will be stacked with countless options throughout the middle and it is hard to see many sides beating them in that area of the contest.

Grade: A

Ali Brigginshaw for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Backline

The Clydesdales boast one of the most unique backlines in the BMD Premiership with Jillaroos stars like Brigginshaw and Shenae Ciesiolka playing alongside rugby league rookies on the wing in Kayla Jackson and Georgia Sim.

Jackson and Sim have been exciting talents on the wing despite playing in their first season of rugby league.

Sim has been a weapon in defence, while Jackson’s pace has made her a perennial threat and has scored five tries this season.

While the duo’s inexperience at times has been caught out they have still been superb additions to the squad.

If the amount of errors which have occurred over the last two weeks can be reduced, then the backline will be set to soar into the final weeks of the season.

Grade: A-

Game management and mentality

With the Clydesdales in the unique position where they have some of the most experienced players in the game playing alongside young guns who are in their first season of rugby league, a strong mentality and the ability to manage games when they are ahead and behind is key.

For the most part, the Clydesdales have been mentally strong with the likes of Brigginshaw, Ciesiolka and Reinke all leading the way for the younger players.

The mentality of the Clydesdales was tested in round 2, when they took on premiership contenders Burleigh Bears at Pittsworth.

The visitors stormed out of the blocks to take a 14-0 lead after just 12 minutes.

At this stage, it would have been very easy for the Clydesdales to let the Bears run away with the contest, yet they refused to die and almost pulled off a late comeback with the final score 18-14.

However, there has been a couple of areas of slight concern.

During the clash with the Cutters, the Clydesdales were without three key players in Brigginshaw, Apps and Davis.

Kezie Apps is tackled during the Western Clydesdales’ clash with the CQ Capras. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After finding themselves on the back foot early, the Clydesdales often - without the poise and experience of the rep duo - tried to force an extra pass or made simple errors which halted any potential momentum and allowed the Cutters to stay on top.

Another area which will be of slight concern has been the way the Clydesdales have closed out tight games.

Against the Brisbane Tigers, they let a 10-point lead slip in the final minutes of the game - which resulted in a draw - while in their inaugural win, the Clydesdales invited CQ Capras back into the contest late in the game and the visitors very nearly pulled off a stunning comeback in the final minute of play.

However, while they did allow the Capras to be within striking distance of a victory, the Clydesdales held their nerve with clutch tackles to hold on for a thrilling win.

Grade: C+

Players who have starred

Ali Brigginshaw: Brigginshaw’s playmaking ability has been game-changing for the Clydesdales and has often created attacking chances out of nothing - all while nurturing and helping to further develop the inexperienced players in the line-up.

Steph Hancock: An ever-reliable performer, Hancock’s running ability has been second to none this season.

Kayla Jackson: Despite making her rugby league debut this season, Jackson has been one of the shining lights so far this season on the wing.

Tara Reinke: One of the most hard working players in the team, Reinke is always in and around the action and has led by example in the heart of the forward line.

Overall grade: B

The positives for the Clydesdales far outweigh the few negatives and if they can reduce the error-count, then they will be one of the leading contenders in the final four games of the season.