Capras prop Ryan Jackson: 'It’s all attitude for us'
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For Central Queensland Capras forward Ryan Jackson, rugby league is a simple game that needs a simple strategy and he is confident his side can execute theirs against his old side, Redcliffe Dolphins, on Saturday.
The Capras beat Tweed Seagulls in the final round of the year to make the top eight and beat competition heavyweights Burleigh Bears in their elimination final to progress.
Coach Lionel Harbin said ahead of Finals Week 1 it would take his side completing high and being disciplined to get to this spot and they delivered. His message before the Bears game was simple: “we have to give ourselves every opportunity by doing the little things right”.
Jackson, a hard-running prop signed with the Dolphins NRL side for his “tough, uncompromising” style of footy, said to expect some more of the same come Saturday.
“The plan is to play our style of footy as a team, turn up, punch through the front door and score tries,” Jackson said.
Jackson’s rugby league journey started at Souths Graceville Lions and he signed with the Dolphins last year after stellar performances for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Colts and Mal Meninga Cup competitions. He trained with the Dolphins NRL side and his Cup journey began with Redcliffe.
Jackson is constantly striving to be better and thrives learning off the older heads at the Dolphins NRL.
“There’s so much to learn…. with a lot of older boys in the crew, they teach you so much and take the time to run through things with you… there’s so much to learn from them,” he said.
This year the 20-year-old - part of last year’s Queensland Under 19 side - has been plying his trade with the Capras, a Dolphins NRL affiliated club, and loving every second of the experience.
“Has been a good opportunity… I’ve felt playing for the Capras, I’ve improved my game a lot,” Jackson said.
“My main learning has been just knowing my role on the field… not being too frantic out there, trying to overwork. It’s about knowing your job and doing what you need to do for the team to be that team player.”
The young gun said with the past few weeks being “do-or-die” for the Capras, everyone had lifted "to play a consistent 80 minutes”.
“Last couple of weeks have been do-or-die… we had to win the round before to make the finals and we had to win against Burleigh to stay in the finals,” Jackson said.
“Very keen to face Redcliffe. For me personally, I’m just trying to improve my footy. That’s the main thing. Redcliffe is a good side. I know a lot of the team obviously… they’re good competition for me and the Capras.”
Jackson said it would take being “consistent for the whole game, both halves” to get the job done against Redcliffe.
“It’s going to take a good, tough attitude and to size up... Reddy have some good middles and so do we, so I reckon it’ll be a middles game, pumping through the middle, and whoever has the tougher side will come away with the win I reckon,” Jackson said.
“There’s still work to do but to make the grand final, it would just be the cherry on top, for everything we’ve worked so hard for.
“Talking to Lionel and (assistant coach) Benny Cross, it’s all attitude for us. We know the type of footy we can play and it’s good footy. It’s just about attitude.”
Jackson would not single anyone out, in terms of who he looked forward to coming up against, but said there had been plenty of chat and he looked forward to the challenge against mates.
“I’m looking forward to a rivalry, just against my old middles, and having a good game and good laugh… I’m sure it will be good fun,” Jackson said.
“One hundred per cent, it will be a great game to watch.”
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