Western Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent proud of BMD Premiership team after breakthrough season

It wasn’t the fairytale finish they had hoped for but the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership side are building a remarkable legacy. Coach Mitch Sargent lists his highlights from the stellar season.

Western Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

The Western Clydesdales’ inaugural BMD season may have finished in heartbreak in the semi-finals but the club’s first foray into the BMD Premiership was nothing short of a success.

From the opening clash against the CQ Capras in front of a packed out Clive Berghofer Stadium, to the thrilling final few weeks of the season, where the race for finals changed after every game, the Clydesdales were one of the most captivating sides in this season’s competition.

Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent rode every wave throughout the season and said it was a bittersweet feeling after his side was knocked out by eventual premiers Mackay Cutters in the semi-final.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to go out, it would have been good to get another week into the competition to a grand final but when you strip back the results, it has been a tremendous year for our club,” he said.

“It has been a special journey and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.

“We set out to create an everlasting legacy but we didn’t know how much joy and happiness this team would have brought to not only our club but our region.

“The support we received and the girls got, we could definitely feel that and it inspired them to make sure they performed the best that they could and inspire the next generation - which they did.

“We saw a lot of young girls especially attend our games and when you strip back why we all play rugby league, it is to help the next person in line for your jersey so you leave your jersey in a better place than you found it.

“So we definitely could feel that and are so appreciative of the support we got.”

Western Clydesdales players celebrate a try against Souths Logan Magpies. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

From the outset, Sargent knew the side had the potential to be special but was still blown away by their performances throughout the season.

“When we got them all together, since day one I felt this group was a really special team,” he said.

“Obviously you don’t plan or look too far ahead, you just go week by week but as the season got on, I could feel that we were building something special.

“With all the players that we had with our experience and inexperience and age group, we had a really good mix of players join our team there was a sense of an awe about this team and what we could do.

“I am really happy that the girls got to make a semi-final and we will be better for the experience and for the future.”

Sargent believed the opportunity to coach players in the first stages of their rugby league journey, while leading league legends like Ali Brigginshaw and Steph Hancock helped take his coaching game to the next level.

Shenae Ciesiolka makes a line break. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

“It was great, I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be involved in, you had some really key players and experience that you could lean on through the season but you also got the mindset of our inexperienced girls and it was a really good mix,” he said.

“I know it really helped our experienced girls because it gave them a challenge … to make sure the inexperienced girls loved the game and made sure they got better but their leadership qualities really helped at training.

“They were helping each other out and making our game better which was a great thing to see and it was really pleasing at the end of it to see it all come together.”

From seeing Clydesdales stars represent the region on the hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium in State of Origin, to unforgettable history-making tries, there has been countless moments which Sargent cherished throughout the campaign.

Ali Brigginshaw scores the first try of the season for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“The one I couldn’t stop smiling was the first ever competition try where Ali (Brigginshaw) scored,” he said.

“It was a fitting piece in front of a big crowd where Ali got the first try of our history and it was a really proud moment for me personally but I could see how much it meant to her and her family to play for us.

“That’s what made it special for me.

“Handing out the debut jerseys week in week out when we had debutants, especially our local girls, when you tell them they were playing, there were tears of joy because it meant so much to them.

“In the heat of the battle when Nat Webb scored to get us into a semi-final, it was really amazing.

“Post match it was one of the best moments I have ever been involved in with sport, the sigh of relief and joy and happiness out of the sheds when they knew they made the semi-finals was something why we all play sport to go through those moments together.”

This season’s women’s State of Origin series has been the cherry on top for the Clydesdales, with Brigginshaw, Shenae Ciesiolka, Kezie Apps and Keeley Davis all representing their respective states.

“It was a really proud moment for me personally, to be able to be mates and have a really good friendship with Ali, Shenae, Kezie and Keeley,” Sargent said.

“They are really good people and I am so happy that they got to join our club and be a part of the inaugural team and their name will always be alongside our team list and that is a really proud moment for our club.

“Personally to have those girls’ friendship to help guide me through my coaching career, I am forever grateful for as well.”