Duggan steps up to Clydesdales duty

Written by Maree Parsons

When Matt Duggan tied up his shoes for the first time for the Clydesdales it was a bittersweet moment.

The talented half-back, cemented his spot in the inaugural Western Clydesdales team only last month after months of contemplating his future.

“To be honest I didn’t want to take a spot off my nephew Kai (Duggan). I wasn’t sure if he would be playing (Hostplus) Cup or with his age group the 21s,” Duggan said.

“When I found out he was captaining the 21s and would be real force in that competition then I felt the pressure ease and that I could potentially take up a spot with the team.

“And Jason (Alchin – head coach) was very convincing in making me warm to the idea of being a part of something really special for the whole community.

“I am glad now of Jason’s persistency as I think I would have regretted it if I didn’t join them.”

The three-time winner of the Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) Player of the Year and six-time TRL Premiership winner is no stranger to playing at Cup level having been contracted with Canberra through school before and then playing with their feeder club South Logan for his first year out of school.

“I then spent time playing for the Ipswich Jets the year after but both times travelling from Toowoomba.

“I never wanted to move away from Toowoomba so playing elsewhere wouldn’t have really worked. Mind you I would have loved to have had the pathways that are currently in place now with all the state wide competitions and now state league.

“For young players today they really have so many opportunities available to them.”

The past few years Duggan has spent playing for Wattles in the TRL, winning the competition last year.

“I have been very lucky the last couple of years at Wattles to play alongside some great people and to have Kai and my brothers Luke and Ryan there made it even more enjoyable.

“This (playing in the Hostplus Cup) is a big step up from the TRL but I am really enjoying the professionalism of the Clydesdales and really hoping to get more into the football side of things as it kicks off and see what we can do.

“Hopefully we will be super competitive and win some games.”

The humble playmaker said he had loved the game of rugby league ever since he started playing when he was five years old.

“I was always happy to have a go at any sport, but I have always loved my footy and it has been a big part of my life,” he said.

When asked about his ability for being able read the game he simply added repetition and practice.

“When I was younger and had more time, I would always try to watch the best players and what worked for them and how they did it, than try and find what of those worked for me. But I do think the biggest thing if you want to be good at anything is practice and repetition.”

We are looking forward to seeing Duggan take the field again after the Bye when we take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons on 1st April in our 1st away match.