Halfback Will Cartwright was catapulted from the Brothers bench to a Queensland Reds debut in four months because of his heroics in last year’s Australian Club Championship match.
You make the most of every showcase and this peak clash between the club premiers of Brisbane’s StoreLocal Hospital Cup and Sydney’s Shute Shield is exactly that.
Cartwright, 21, is delighted to have a rare second bite at the Australian Club Championship on Saturday when Sydney club Easts venture to Crosby Park.
“It’s a fair bit to do with bragging rights whenever that Queensland-NSW rivalry comes into play,” Cartwright said.
“To beat a top Sydney club like Randwick gave the whole club a confidence heading into the 2024 season.
“It’s no different this year. We are up against a quality side in Easts, who broke a 55-year premiership drought to win in Sydney last year.
“There’s a lot of talk amongst the boys and around the club so we are definitely really keen for Saturday.”
Rewind to March, 2024. The Australian Club Championship was in the balance until super-sub Cartwright scooted over for the try that guaranteed a 25-18 win.
His speed caught the attention of Reds coaches. His versatility to play halfback and wing got them even more interested. He was brought in to make a dream debut against Wales and made further Reds appearances against Tonga and the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
On Saturday, it’s likely Cartwright will be running the show in the halves with Harry Grant, a partnership melded in Colts with the Sunshine Coast Grammar product
The Brethren tuned up with a trial against 2024 grand final adversaries Wests in Toowoomba last Saturday.
While the result fell Wests way, Brothers coach Ben McCormack was upbeat with what the team got out of it.
“It was a good first hitout for the season and we created plenty of opportunities. Some more polish will come from that,” McCormack said.
“We’ll have nine or 10 guys backing up from our premiership side last year and the 2024 Australian Club Championship win.
“We had a proper celebration after beating Randwick. The boys know what Saturday’s match means to them and the club.
“I think the experience of 2024 in this match and what it takes to win it goes a long way too. At this time of year, the match is going to be a bit of a scrap. It’s not going to be perfect so attitude and staying in the fight goes a long way.”
Forward Hamish Muller, who made his Reds debut against the Wild Knights in Japan last November, has returned to the club in top shape.
“Hamish has thickened up and has some man strength. He’s just a good footballer and he’ll be very good for us,” McCormack added.
Saturday deserves a crowd of more than 4000 fans with club rugby as the centrepiece of a great day hosted by Brothers.
Bond University will meet Sydney University for the Sukkar Cup in the Australian Women’s Club Championship match from 2.20pm.
Lower grade trials plus matches involving the Moranbah Bulls, the Roma Echidnas and Narrabri Blue Boars will add to the all-day festive atmosphere.
The Brothers v Easts climax kicks off at 3.30pm.
