In the spotlight: Toby Strecker

Author: Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer
Timestamp: Thu 20 Apr 2023, 07:56 AM

The last time Toby Strecker donned a Mackay Cutters Hastings Deering Colts jersey, he was a different person.

It was two years ago and at only 18 years of age, Strecker was quieter, less confident and less independent.

But then came about a spontaneous move to New South Wales, with Strecker leaving behind his beloved Cutters, his family and his hometown of Mackay for a year to push himself outside his comfort zone.

And as the Cutters’ Hastings Deering Colts team prepare for their season-opening match this Saturday at home against the Norths Devils, Strecker is ready to show the leader he has become during the past 12 months.

“I moved down to just above Sydney, in the Central Coast, to just play footy and get out of Mackay for a little bit,” Strecker said of his 2022 season.

“It was a bit of a 'spur of the moment' move. I’m glad I did it but it could have panned out in a lot of ways.

“I was by myself a lot. I wasn’t with mum and dad so I had to do things like, book my own doctors’ appointments, which made me better at talking. If I had of done this interview a year ago, I would not want to have done it at all.

“But yeah, I learnt more about being able to talk, being able to communicate, life stuff, looking after money.

“It feels good to be back now. There’s a different feel here. The team is very close already, which is good to see. It’s the same faces but everyone is just closer and moulded a lot better.

“It’s one of the first teams I’ve come into where we’ve gelled a lot. It’s pretty sick.

“Through the Cutters I’m learning more about being a good person and not just a good footy player.

“Over the last year I feel like I’ve gotten a bit better at being a good person and being able to talk in public, being able to connect with the community.”

Strecker was born and bred in Mackay and started playing rugby league at the age of 13.

He then joined the Cutters in under 14s and came through their development systems and pathways, making his Colts debut in 2021.

The outside back said his biggest goals ahead of the season was to make the Colts' Round 1 team, which he was named in on Tuesday.

He then wants to move into the Hostplus Cup system and eventually make his debut and play finals for either Colts or Cup.

But mostly he wants to keep developing not just as a player, but a person as well.

He said that he continues to learn everyday through the culture at the Cutters and while he wasn’t a leader when he made his Colts debut two years ago, he hopes he can be seen as one now.

“When I first came to Colts in 2021 when I was 18, I was not at all a leader,” he said.

“I was looking up to the older boys. I never really peeped a word into it. Since this year, I’ve taken on what they said and I’m trying to push that out.

“I’m not the oldest in my group but I still try to get my word in there.

“Being at the Cutters, it’s about treating everyone equally. Don’t see anyone as lesser than you. You have to have a lot of humility and a lot of respect for everyone… don’t see yourself as being in the Cutters and being better than anyone.

“I would say the coaches here are my best influence. Coaches always know what to say and when to say it.

“There’s sometimes when you just don’t say anything and I’ve learnt that a lot more than having to say something all the time.

“Like (Cup coach) Michael Comerford, he’s always got the right thing to say. He’s not really yapping on. He’s always to the point.

“It was the same in the 2021 Colts with the players. They always had the right things to say and that’s what I want to do.”

Strecker will start at centre in Saturday’s clash with the Norths Devils.

Mackay will kick off their Colts season at 10.55am at BB Print Stadium.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 22 Apr

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