In the spotlight: Casey Morgan

Two years ago, Casey Morgan took a leap of faith in the name of rugby league.

The young forward grew up in Port Macquarie, playing the game for the Camden Haven Eagles from the age of five.

With his father, Joseph, heavily involved in rugby league from as early as Morgan can remember, it was inevitable he too would end up in the game.

“My family has played a lot of rugby league and been involved in a lot of rugby league,” Morgan said.

“My father was a manager of a lot of teams and helped out as club president… having been around his teams, I always wanted to play. I was always watching the footy on the telly.

“As soon as I could, I started playing and fell in love with it ever since. I went through all the grades.”

When he hit his seniors, Morgan then moved across to Wauchope where his paths crossed with trainer – and former Norths Devils chief executive – Jamie Dowse.

And this is when he took his leap of faith, landing himself a spot with the Brisbane Tigers Hastings Deering Colts team.

“Jamie Dowse was good mates with (Tigers Colts coach) Mark Gliddon and he suggested to Gliddo that I come up here and trial for the under 21s,” Morgan said.

“I guess I was having a really good year in my first year of first grade back at home. I was playing good footy and Jamie wanted to give me an opportunity somewhere I could improve my footy.

“It’s been very good. I haven’t been familiar with much of Queensland Rugby League so it was nerve-wracking to make a big move to Brisbane and experiencing a whole new side and whole new club and getting to know everybody.

“But I’ve found it really good. The club is a really good club. I’ve enjoyed playing here a lot, actually.”

In his second season with the Tigers, Morgan is going from strength to strength.

The team are sitting in third on the Colts ladder but are on the same points as the first-placed Tweed Seagulls, with just eight for-and-against points between the two sides.

Burleigh sit in second, five for-and-against points above the Tigers.

In his time at the club, Morgan has also had the opportunity to train with and play in trials for the Hostplus Cup team. He was even the Cup side’s 18th man in Round 15.

While his chance to debut is yet to come, it is a goal for the future, as well as an NRL pre-season. But he will bide his time as he continues to develop with the Colts.