Sunshine Coast Falcons captain Dane Hogan has lauded the guile of playmaker Jack Wright, who has made an immediate impression on the state league scene.
The 21-year-old caught the attention of team-mates and spectators during his debut in Round 2, scoring two tries to propel them to a win over Souths Logan.
He backed it up a week later, setting up two tries in their victory over Ipswich.
“For a young kid, he’s very mature footy wise,” Hogan said.
“He’s good at sticking to a game plan and getting the team around the park but he’s got a little bit of off-the-cuff play as well.”
That was evident against the Jets, when Wright chip-kicked the ball wide to winger Nat McGavin, to open the scoring.
“There was nothing really going on, but he saw space out wide and put the kick over (to McGavin),” Hogan said.
“He backs himself when he gets those opportunities.”
Despite his skills, Wright is only a week-to-week proposition to start games.
“It’s tough with Todd Murphy and Cooper Johns in front of him (in the pecking order) but he’s really taken his opportunities when he’s got them,” Hogan said.
Stalwart Murphy boasts experience and wile that is hard for selectors to ignore, while Johns sometimes plays for the Falcons when he is not required by the club’s NRL affiliate Melbourne Storm.
They also have former NRL halfback Jarrod Mullen on the injury list, after dislocating his shoulder in his return to rugby league in Round 1.
Such is Wright’s form though, he could be considered regularly for a bench role or even as a centre if he’s not utilised in the halves.
Wright also has leadership qualities. He was captain of the Sunshine Coast team which won the state under-20 competition in 2019.
The Falcons went into this year’s Queensland Cup competition as one of the main contenders in the 14-team, 19-round season and they’ve won two of their first three games.
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After a shock loss at home to Northern Pride, they toppled the Magpies away and the Jets at home.
“Our first game wasn’t up to standard and we were lucky to get away with the second game, but we improved against Ipswich and we’re slowly building into the season,” Hogan said.
“We have different players in the side and combinations and we’re slowly building in all areas.
“Our effort has been really good … but we need to put in a whole 80-minute performance.”
They were scheduled to play fourth-placed PNG Hunters away on Saturday (2.10pm). The Hunters are essentially based on the Gold Coast this season, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The match renews a rivalry that reached fever pitch in the 2017 grand final, when the Falcons were pipped in the dying seconds and the Hunters claimed their only title to date.
