Western Clydesdales ready to kick-off 2024 Hostplus Cup campaign

With a year under their belt the Western Clydesdales know where they need to lift if they want more wins in 2024. Find out what they’ve been doing in the off-season here.

The Western Clydesdales didn’t quite know who they were in 2023.

Hostplus Cup coach Jason Alchin was quick to acknowledge the fight, spirit and effort his team showed in their ‘debut’ season but he, alongside everyone at the club, would’ve liked more than three wins to their name.

This year is different though and there “will be no excuses” according to the former Canterbury Bulldogs half.

“Last year we didn’t really know who we were, what our identity was,” Alchin said.

“The first thing you need to do in any sport is fight from the start to the finish.

“We showed a lot of fight (last year) but it wasn’t enough.

“We had a trial game against (Wynnum Manly) Seagulls in February and I said to the boys after ‘that is who we are, that’s who we need to be this season’.

“We were competitive against a very good side.

“Obviously we can always improve but the signs were there.”

The Clydesdales have been active in the off-season promoting a number of their exciting juniors while also adding some highly experienced stars from other clubs.

Valleys Toowoomba junior Denzel Burns has swapped the Ipswich Jets for a return home and he is joined by the likes of Tahj Amone (Melbourne Storm), Canterbury Bulldogs linked player Mitchell Leard-Lamont (Central Queensland Capras) and experienced forward Emry Pere (Burleigh Bears).

Former Valleys player Denzel Burns (right) will line up for the Western Clydesdales this season.

Alchin however said the team will need every player to do their part if they want to win this season.

“I’m not going to single any players out,” he said.

“Every player is important to this team.

“It’s a tough competition and everyone needs to do their part at training and in games if we want to win games.”

Working in the Clydesdales favour is the fact they were able to re-sign a number of key players from last year.

With his players knowing exactly what is expected of them, Alchin’s focus during the off-season has been simple.

Former Townsville Blackhawks and Burleigh Bears prop Emry Pere is playing for the Western Clydesdales this season.

“There is no secret to a good off-season,” Alchin said.

“It’s all about hard work, getting fitter, stronger and working on the structures we need to play good footy.

“We want to be a more competitive, we want more wins than last season.

“Already I am seeing improvements compared to last season in our training.

“The standard has lifted across the board on and off the field.

“As a team and as a club we want build on what we achieved last year, we want to grow and improve.

“We want to give this community something they can be proud of.

“We do that through hard work, belief and commitment to ourselves and each other.”

CLYDESDALES SQUAD

Tahj Amone, Kaden Buhse, Denzel Burns, Nicholas Carrie, Darcy Carswell, Blake Cullen, Kai Duggan, Hayden Ensbey, Levi Helleur-Atiga, Cooper Howlett, Esom Ioka, Luke Jurd, Flynn Kaiser Capewell, Mitchell Leard-Lamont, Braden Leigh, Blake Lenehan, Lopeti Mafi, Takai Mokohar, Patrick O’Callaghan, Neihana Oldham, Tui Oloapu, Taniela Otukolo, Tareq Parter, Brock Patti, Emry Pere, Ketesemane (Etelani) Pouli, Mac Puafisi, Luke Rouland, Fua Schwalger, Jerome Taulaga, Drew Timms, Nicholas Toeava, Dylan White, Todd White, Connor Williams.