Capras trio relishing Dolphins opportunity

Central Queensland Capras talents Tyler Szepanowski, Lachlan Hubner and Bailey Butler are grinding away with the Dolphins NRL squad ahead of season 2023.

The trio, who each appeared for the Capras 21 times during the 2022 Hostplus Cup season, are soaking in all they can at the Dolphins this pre-season, keen to see the Capras continue to improve. 

The Capras, under Hostplus Cup Coach of the Year Lionel Harbin, were an in-form team this year, finishing fifth on the ladder after finishing with the wooden spoon in 2021; they were knocked out by Burleigh Bears in the second week of finals.

Szepanowski, a consistent strong performer for the Capras, said there was "a pretty good feel around the club". 

"Looking forward to getting right into it," the 23-year-old said.

"Probably the biggest thing I've gained and learned so far is just the intensity required at this level and obviously the mindset that goes along with that.

"We want to build a club at the Capras that's going to be successful for the long term and I look forward to taking that back to the Capras so that happens there too."

Hubner said he was "really liking the physicality and the mental challenge that comes with it".

"Looking forward to building my game and my physical strength and taking that back to Capras. And also really competing down here and pushing myself," the 22-year-old said, adding he looked forward to learning more about what was required of his positions in lock and hooker.

"Just learning those little things off the experienced players... what it takes to be at the NRL level. Definitely fitness and my physical strength will hopefully improve over this period and really benefit for next year."

Butler added he enjoyed the game and their performance being broken down to further excel on the field.

"It's really good... they fix you up and just building strength day by day," the 24-year-old said.

"I play front row so names like Jesse Bromwich, Jarrod Wallace, just those boys up front, taking what they will teach us will be a real good benefit."

The Capras are an affiliate team of the Dolphins, which will see the provision of NRL squad players join the Rockhampton-based club throughout the season.