Waqa chasing history for Redcliffe Dolphins
- Author
- Timestamp
The Redcliffe Dolphins' Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup team is chasing history this weekend.
The stage is set for a blockbuster grand final showdown between the Dolphins and Townsville Blackhawks, with the two teams to meet at Totally Workwear Stadium from 1pm on Sunday.
For the Blackhawks, they are playing in their third straight premiership decider and won their last title in 2016.
On the other side of the paddock however, it has been 10 years since the Dolphins last found premiership success in the under 18s competition – with no grand final appearances in that time – and for skipper Michael Waqa, he knows what a win could do, not just for his team, but the future generations at Redcliffe.
The Dolphins NRL-contracted forward, who has been at Redcliffe since under 16s, is still speechless after helping guide his side to a huge 56-18 semi-final victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls last week.
“There’s no words for it,” Waqa said of his team’s semi-final performance.
“We went to another level in the second half. We had a roll on and it’s hard to stop the big boys when they get a roll on.
“I’m just grateful we made it to the grand final. We were happy with the score too, we weren’t expecting that.
“This whole season, it’s given me confidence. I have a big group of friends now. I reckon it’s given confidence to the whole Redcliffe name, to the younger boys coming through.
“This weekend I’m expecting a close game, tough through the middle. The Blackhawks will definitely give us a run.
“It would mean a lot to win it. Winning a Mal Meninga grand final, it’s not something a lot of people get to do. It would be unreal.”
Waqa himself has been a standout this season, with Redcliffe’s forward pack one of the most dominant in the competition.
He started playing rugby league at Wests Mitchelton in under 10s and also had stints at Norths Devils and Albany Creek Crushers across his junior years before switching to Redcliffe at 16.
The now 18-year-old played in the Cyril Connell Challenge with the Dolphins and is in his second season with Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.
He is expected to move into the Hastings Deering Colts season after this Sunday’s grand final and will continue training with the NRL team as part of the club’s top 36.
Waqa said doing the pre-season with the Dolphins was an eye-opening experience that certainly helped him prepare for his Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup campaign.
“I signed two weeks before pre-season,” Waqa said of joining the NRL club.
“I was real excited. I was one year out of school already doing a pre-season.
“When I was younger, under 16s, I had a few clubs after me but I didn’t end up signing with anyone. We just wanted to wait and see what the best outcome was and the Dolphins were the one.
“Pre-season was a shock. I wasn’t expecting it to be that hard but it’s a thing where you get used to it over a couple weeks as it builds. The wrestling sessions get to you though.”
With his time at the NRL level and learning from the likes of Queensland Maroons forward, Tom Gilbert, Waqa has also developed his leadership throughout his Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup season.
He has never been a captain before but will now lead his teammates onto the field on Sunday for the deciding clash.
Waqa said he was still learning every week but could see his leadership developing and knew there was nowhere else he’d rather be ahead of Sunday.
“This is my first time being captain of any team,” he said.
“I haven’t been a leader throughout my younger ages but this year has given me a lot of knowledge … I’ve learnt a lot about positive feedback and around calming the boys down on the field.
“(Coach) Scott (Tronc) likes leaders who lead by action.
“It’s unreal to captain these boys. I wouldn’t want to captain any other blokes.”
