In the spotlight: Isaac Fels
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There's nowhere else Isaac Fels would rather be than representing Ipswich with his mates, even when the scoreboard is not so kind.
What's not to love about a Saturday afternoon in the sun, playing the greatest game of all?
Sure, it hasn't been easy for his Hastings Deering Colts teammates this season - given they are yet to win a game - but Fels isn't one to shy away from it.
The Jets centre is as honest as they come as it's one of the reasons why he has the respect of teammates and coaching staff alike and is considered a leader of a group improving every week.
"I just think accountability is a big thing. I'm the kind of person who doesn't blame anyone else and tries to encourage the boys to take accountability for errors and that," Fels said.
"I think if you're honest with yourself, you're honest with your team and I think it's a big thing in terms of building team culture.
"Our team's good, we pull each other up on things, but at the end of the day it's keeping us all on the same page and I think that's what has helped us out and we're starting to move forward."
It's a trait coached into him at junior clubs Springfield Panthers, Goodna Eagles and Ipswich Brothers, and while attending St Peter Claver College, working under renowned mentor and former Jet, Chris Ash.
It has also helped him focus on incremental progression along the pathway ahead of him.
"Obviously as a young fella I just enjoyed playing the sport and getting out on a Saturday morning and tackling and progressing through," Fels said.
"When I was getting into school and into under 12s, under 13s I made my first rep side (Ipswich Diggers under 14) and I thought: 'Ok, I could have a shot here'."
From the Diggers, he made the South East Queensland team, then moved on to Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup and now to Hastings Deering Colts.
At each level, "things get a bit more serious" and Fels is seeking that growth week by week from himself and those around him as they strive forward.
"Our team is just taking it one step at a time and little improvements each week to get ourselves a win and get a bit further," he said.
"We've had a tough start. We got beat by 70 and 60 and we've had some big scores, but everyone seems to still look forward.
"We try not to dwell on the past, and if we have the right attitude there's a few guys in this Colts side that could move on to the next level.
"I love playing for the team and it's good fun, playing alongside your mates.
Match: Jets v Pride
Round 7 -
home Team
Jets
away Team
Pride
Venue: North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
"You look at the score and, yeah, you might lose a game, but the way I see it, you get to get out on a Saturday and play footy with your mates and enjoy it.
"Sometimes there's some bad things, but it's better to look on the bright side."
And he feels he could not be in a better place to reach his next goal of Hostplus Cup, with support right through the grades from Ipswich 2023 Cyril Connell Cup coach Jye Tuaimau-Gadsdon, who he worked with in his younger days, to his Colts coach Sinave Faitala-Mariner and assistant Alex Gemmell, and even a few of the Cup squad members.
"I just think the Jets as a club are really supportive. All the coaches are really good, all the support staff, everyone gets around. We're a family here," Fels said.
Ipswich host Northern Pride at North Ipswich Reserve this Sunday, with the Hastings Deering Colts clash kicking off at midday.
