Darryn Schonig has been unveiled as the first Western Clydesdales skipper, since the club's return to the Hostplus Cup level.
At 26, the hard-hitting forward has had plenty of Cup experience, having played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Northern Pride as well as being signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs as part of their pre-season training this year.
Schonig moved to Toowoomba earlier this year and although he hasn’t been there long, his knowledge and experience of the game has seen him shine as a true leader.
“I was super honoured to be named captain," Schonig said.
"(Coach) Jason (Alchin) asked me to do it just before our first trial against the Bulldogs.
“I was a late bloomer in footy as I didn’t start playing until I was 12 and I didn’t show much promise until I was about 15 when I got the inspiration to make the goal of being a footballer and to one day play in the NRL.
“To be given this opportunity to captain the Cup team is a special moment and I am really looking forward to it.”
Schonig said the culture of the team and the whole club was very strong.
“We have got a great bunch of boys in the Cup squad and there’s a good feeling getting around the club. All our training has been hard and everyone’s been buying in,” he said.
Schonig said he was really looking forward to playing a year of consistent footy and doing whatever he could to get the Clydesdales on the map as a quality Cup side.
Meanwhile, the Clydesdales have also named captains for their junior statewide teams and the Hastings Deering Colts.
Darcy Carswell and Kai Williamson-Duggan will lead the Colts while Mackenzie Zeller will captain the Harvey Norman Under 19s, Matt Moore will take charge of the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup side and Braithen Scott will skipper the Cyril Connell Challenge team.
