Falcons stalwart looks forward to Crushers rugby league return

Nambour Crushers Coach Ken Kerr and Captain Martin Cordwell at a recent training.

Nambour Crushers skipper Martin Cordwell has played over 100 games for the Sunshine Coast Falcons but is this year relishing a chance to return to his junior club. 

“It will be great,” Cordwell said. “I played here when I was five years old, so I’m coming back to my roots really, and hopefully we’ll win a premiership. 

“We’ve been training really hard and I think that we’ve probably got the right group that can win football games this year. Obviously it’s just gonna challenge our depth a little bit with the younger fellas but it’s a great opportunity for them to step up and get the mixture of experienced players like Jack Beetson. We’ll go all right. 

“We’ll also get a few Falcons players too. Every team gets affiliated Falcons players – the ones that don’t play Q-Cup. Or the ones who miss out because of the returning Melbourne Storm players.

“So I think we’re going to have an exciting year. Our depth is probably not great but if we can avoid injuries we’ll probably go well.

“But even if we get a few injuries, it’s an opportunity for young players to step up.

“Young hooker Joe Butler will probably get his opportunity this year to play a fair bit of A grade.  There’s Isaac Walker-Rosewarne, a great second rower coming through.   And then there’s Lucas Scott (halves, fullback).”

Meanwhile coach Ken Kerr, who played and coached senior football in the UK, has lined up a number of players from overseas who are keen to lace on the boots for the Crushers.

“They’re all kids but they’re good players,” he said. “They’re in their early 20s. Two are coming over specifically just to play football and there’s two that are over here more for a good time, but they’re all decent players. They’ve played Super League Academy level. So they can play. Two of them have played professionally.

“It’s good because they’re outside backs and we’re struggling in those positions. But we have got a good strong pack, especially with Marty (Cordwell) being fit this year.

“We also have a big promising front rower in Jovyn Johnston from Dalby.

“We won’t be changing much from last year but what I do hope will change is the number of injuries. Because we went through 38 players last year with injuries and availability.

“So we had a shocker with injuries and it probably showed in most of our results.

“We’ve been getting 20-30 to training so we’re shaping up all right. But we are lacking enough under 19s.  

“I think a lot of the clubs are similar. Sunshine Coast needs to promote the game better in the schools. 

“Nambour is the heart of the comp, where it all started from, but none of the schools play the game.”

In the UK, Kerr coached Lakewood Trinity’s Women’s Super League team and Saddleworth Rangers Men.

The Crushers kick off their season with play the Sunshine Coast Nines Tournament at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday February 25 followed by a trial on March 4 at Oakey.  

Marty Cordwell in action for the Falcons.