Round 3 Saturday wrap: Close clashes, hat-tricks, Hetherington back

Author: Jorja Brinums QRL content producer
Timestamp: Sat 25 Mar 2023, 09:30 PM

Hard-running lock Kobe Hetherington returned to the field for the first time since rupturing his bicep at training with the Brisbane Broncos in December.

Hetherington ran out for Wynnum Manly Seagulls against Ipswich Jets and you could not wipe the smile off his face.

"It's good to be back... really good to get some minutes in with Wynnum," Hetherington said.

Kobe Hetherington in action. Photo: Jim O'Reilly/QRL

"Bicep is feeling really good. I'm just happy to play footy. Happy to be back on the paddock, whether it's for Broncos or my feeder club, I'll always give 100 per cent no matter where I am."

The 24-year-old, whose usual Hostplus Cup team is Souths Logan Magpies, was granted permission to play for fellow Broncos affiliate Wynnum Manly as the Magpies have a bye this week.

"I think a few of the Souths boys are off me but the (Wynnum Manly) boys made me feel welcome and it was good," Hetherington said.

"All the boys dug in. It was a real team performance."

Hetherington said it had been tough watching the Broncos from the sidelines the past few months, especially as they beat the Dolphins on Friday night.

"It's tough. It's always tough watching from the sidelines. But the boys found a way to win. That's what Kevvie has really put in to us... just to really work for each other and find a way to win," Hetherington said.

"The mateship is back in the club, so it's really good.

"Obviously I want to get back in the NRL side. I'll just keep plugging away and keep working hard to get back in there."

Wynnum Manly captain Brendan Frei said it was awesome to get the win against the Jets.

"They're a team that if you give them a lot of ball they can make you pay for it," Frei said.

"It was an awesome win. Once we got a roll on, we knew they couldn't keep up with us. Happy with the win. 50 points. I think everyone played really well.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 25 Mar

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WM Seagulls

Jets

Venue: Iona College, Brisbane

Team Stats Play by Play

"It was good to see Kobe back after three, four months with his bicep injury."

Frei said Wynnum Manly's completion rates hadn't been great in the opening rounds of the season and it was something they were working on to excel.

"Our completion hasn't been the best... I don't know what it was against the Jets, but the last two weeks has been 60 per cent... and there's still two wins (in the first two rounds), so I think once we get near 80 per cent I don't think there's going to be any teams that can match our game," Frei said.

"Teams can't keep up with us even if we do only complete 60 per cent, so if we can get on the front foot early and compete high and win the field possession game, I think we're going to be a hard team to stop."

Elsewhere, it was an extremely close contest between PNG Hunters and Brisbane Tigers in Port Moresby.

Max Lehmann scored a hat-trick for the Tigers and Morea Morea scored a hat-trick for the Hunters; his final try coming linthe 78th minute, but it wasn't enough to get the Hunters over the lines.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 25 Mar

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Hunters

Tigers

Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

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It was five tries apiece in the clash between Tweed Seagulls and Norths Devils, but Toby Sexton's boot proved the difference, with Tweed claiming the win.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 25 Mar

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