Rugby league in Toowoomba is built on tough, resilient footballers.
Steve Price, Rohan Hancock and Shane Webcke, beating the touring Great Britain side in 1924. Toowoomba is rich in history, rich in a history that has seen tough men doing tough things for their region.
On Saturday the Western Clydesdales’ Todd White will play his 50th Hostplus Cup game against Northern Pride in Cairns.
Match: Pride v Clydesdales
Round 21 -
home Team
Pride
8th Position
away Team
Clydesdales
13th Position
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns
White played his first game in 2021 against the Townsville Blackhawks and got 45 minutes, making 26 tackles, and proving his toughness against a pack that had North Queensland Cowboys players in the mix.
White showed those Toowoomba qualities and stuck it to them and he’s been doing that for 49 games since.
The local Toowoomba boy is ready to mark his milestone game.
“I think it does make it a little bit more special to be home,” White said.
“This is my region, it’s my home and I love it here.
“I am just happy... it’s been a great year and 50 games while it’s personal I am really proud of it.
“I still am only half way to catching Ben so have to work on that now.
“It’s been a really rewarding and successful year with the Clydesdales back in the competition and I think we have done a lot of great things.”
White will be the second family member to play 50 Hostplus Cup games, brother Ben White played 97 games and is proud of his younger brother.
“I admire the fact that Toddy has overcome a bit and his work ethic,” Ben White said.
“Fifty games in the Hostplus Cup is a great achievement, I am really proud of him.
“Todd does the little things really well... he communicates and cleans up. He is a great team mate.”
Western Clydesdales coach Jason Alchin knows what White has brought his new side this year and knows that there are more Toowoomba type footballers out there ready to step up.
Alchin played fullback in the Bulldogs win over Balmain in the 1988 grand final with forwards like Tunks, Dunn, Gillespie, Folks and Thomas they would dominate teams and work hard so he knows what it looks like and has always liked the look of White.
“I had to get Todd White in my team... had to have him,” Alchin said.
“He’s everything we want... local, hardworking, great family.
“He is a great teacher and team man... if I asked him to play wing he would do it and you know he wouldn’t kick stones.
“Fifty games are a massive achievement because you know from here, he is just going to get better.
“Todd White is everything good about this region."
