Written by Maree Parsons

Powerful centre to be force in Cup 

When Melino (Lino) Fineanganofo enters the arena you know there are going to be some hard hits on show.  

The quiet achiever who hails from Auckland knows what to do and how to get the job done.  

And when asked about his full steam ahead powerful runs with the ball or in defence he simply says ‘you don’t think, you just run’ and this is exactly what he does.  

“I was always shorter growing up, so I had to use my power up against the taller guys and I knew that this was what was going to set me apart from other players,” Lino said.  

The 24-year-old centre has already proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming 2023 Queensland Cup season. 

He has showed in both trial matches a taste of what he can do with some brilliant runs out of defence and his overall work ethic and skill. 

But looking back six months, if it hadn’t been a call from Western Clydesdales Head Coach Jason Alchin he might not have been in the team.  

“Footy has always been a big part of my family. My dad always played, and he always took us to footy. I started playing (league) when I was six and played up until I started high school when I switched to rugby before the Warriors took me under their wing for two years,” Lino said. 

“I then went back to Club Rugby in Auckland before switching to league again to join the Mt Albert Lions where I spent two seasons before Covid hit.  

“In 2020 I decided to make the journey to the Sunshine Coast and join the Beerwah Bulldogs in 2021 but I started moving from job to job in scaffolding and realised I needed a year off playing.” 

He said this was the best decision.  

“No one knows you better than yourself, and I knew I had to stop. I wasn’t loving the game and I came to realise that footy is not everything. 

“It was the best thing I could have done. Even when the first call from Jase (Alchin) came through although it was tempting, I knew it wasn’t going to be everything if I didn’t pursue but he eventually convinced me, and I am so glad he did. 

“I have fallen back in love with the game and loving my renewed focus towards footy. We have a great crew up here filled with loads of different personalities and a great culture is building. 

“We (Clydesdales) are a part of something truly special, a part of history, being the first time back in the Cup in years. I am having fun and we want to put the Cup sides notice that we will be a force in 2023.” 

Good luck to Lino and the team in the first match again PNG Hunters at the Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday 12 March 2023. Tickets on sale now!