Long wait over for Magpie Doyle's on-field return

It’s been a long wait on the sidelines – but this weekend’s trial against Redcliffe Dolphins will see Scott Doyle make his welcomed return to the rugby league field.

A talented centre with the Souths Logan Magpies, Doyle is returning from an ACL and medial injury he sustained in Souths Logan's Round 9 win over Easts Tigers last season.

Speaking to QRL Media, Doyle shared a little about the work that had gone into him running out for his side again.

“It was a pretty hard nine months to be honest,” Doyle said.

“The recovery went quite well, but it was more a mental thing to get through.

“(But) I have a really good family and Souths here have been great to me too ... I have a really good support base and I’m just glad it’s behind me now.

“Watching the boys run around, train play games, (it) was pretty tough – but it’s nearly all over and I get to go out next week and get back into it.

“I’ve been doing all the training for about a month now ... it feels great, and I can’t wait to get out there with the boys.”

It was pretty tough – but it’s nearly all over and I get to go out next week and get back into it.

Scott Doyle Souths Logan Magpies

Last weekend, the Magpies travelled to Warwick to face off against a fresh-faced Brisbane Broncos side stacked with young talent.

While the Intrust Super Cup side suffered a heavy defeat on the scoreboard;  it was at the hands of many Souths-reared players including Patrick Mago, Thomas Flegler and Tesi Niu.

Other Brisbane-signed talents like Tanah Boyd, who made his Cup debut with the West End club in 2018, will play for Brisbane this weekend against Wynnum Manly Seagulls. 

And while the Magpies are known as a family club - all siblings can get competitive from time to time as well.

“There is definitely a few (young ones) coming through – it keeps all of us on our toes, your position is not cemented in at the moment,” Doyle said of the collection of young guns in the club’s ranks.

“The first few rounds will be very good – I think even Gerome Burns has come over from Norths and he’s been training the house down as well.

“It’s going to be tough (to make the starting side), there’s a few positions there that have a fair bit of competition.

“But that’s how you get a good culture and winning vibe.”

As well as their own emerging crop, the Magpies have also recruited well in the off-season, signing some star players. 

“I haven’t played with any of them – I’ve played against them,” Doyle said of newly-signed experienced Cup campaigners including Linc Port, Matt Soper-Lawler and Alex Bishop.

“Linc Port, Sops, Bisho – of course Jack Joass is back with us this year – so that will be great for us.

“I think Jon (Buchanan - coach), Jimmy (McClelland - CEO) and the staff have done a good job with recruiting this year and I think we’ll have a fair side ... to give it a fair shake.”

While there is no doubting the boost they will bring to the squad, Doyle said it was interesting to see if there were any awkward moments when they arrived – given the reputation some of the players have for their giving their best – both physically and verbally – on the field.

“Matt Soper-Lawler loves to chat; haven’t seen him with the head gear on at training so I didn’t recognise him until he got here – he’s a good fella, he’s good for the club," Doyle said.

“And Porty - he’s a good guy.

 “Alex Bishop – he’s a bit of a pest.... he’s come to the club and he’s a really good bloke.

“Pests on the field, good blokes off it,” Doyle laughed.

The Souths Logan Magpies will host the Redcliffe Dolphins at Souths Juniors Acacia Ridge on Saturday, February 23. 

To keep track of the dates, venues and times for all the upcoming trial games, visit 2019 trial match information.