The Greater Northern Tigers may have slumped to their third loss in the under 16s Andrew Johns Cup but the atmosphere was far from forlorn in the dressing sheds after the game.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coach Brett Jarrett lamented the errors which littered his young side's game in the 30-16 loss to the Northern Rivers Titans in Armidale on Saturday.
They had their chances and led twice in the first half after tries by Brady Roser and Deacen Hampstead and set up a 12-10 lead at the break.
However, the Titans scored the next three tries to make it 26-12.
READ ALSO:
Riley Pennell's wide pass to Jacob Cordina gave the Tigers a spark of a chance but a try to Titan Levi Dangerfield finalised the win.
Indeed, the final try signified the sort of day the young Tigers had. The Titans had sent down a long, high clearing kick from inside their own half, only for the swirling torpedo to be dropped and for the Titan chasers to race through and dive on the loose ball over the line.
It was a disappointing end to a game that had promised plenty.
Jarrett was uplifting in his post game assessment and told his young side it "just isn't about winning Country Championships".
"It's not the be all and end all," Jarrett told the hurting young men.
"It's about improving you [as players and people]. Sure, a couple of wins would be nice and that's what we strive for but heads up. It's all a learning curve for you. You're playing in the toughest football you've ever played.
"This takes more effort than playing club football but you will be better for it, heads up and think about Cessnock."
It was a stirring address to remind the teenagers they are starting a journey in a far different realm than their club and they showed they are improving.
"We're getting closer," Jarrett said.
"We're definitely improving and that's what we are looking for, looking to have quality young football players."
One of those quality young players is second rower Logan Spinks. He was named the side's player of the match and received the game ball from his teammates and coaches.
Spinks, 15, attends Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.
His father, Michael, is a former Tiger, playing for the then Northern Division when he was a premiership winning fullback with the West Lions in Tamworth.
He also possessed a massive left boot although he jokes Logan has a bigger one and his other son has an even bigger kick.
Logan has seen a few videos of his father in outstanding action and helping the Lions to Group 4 premierships.
"I was a fullback, too," he admits with a grin.
"We got a good start today. Just made too many mistakes. And we just put our heads down when something doesn't go our way."
While they made too many errors they were also handed a few rough calls and the officials missed a few shoulder charges to boot.
Spinks shrugged and while he hasn't been playing in the pack for long he's enjoying the rough, tough stuff in the middle and a few run-ins with rival forwards.
"It's different," he said to the former days of playing fullback.
"Good fun."
The thrill of the emotional outbursts and bullish bravado makes it a different game for Spinks.
"That was good to get the game ball, too," he added.
"Coming from them, recognising the stuff I do."
He is now looking towards Saturday's fourth round clash with Newcastle in Cessnock.
"It's all about next week," Jarrett added.
"It's about recovery and getting right to go again next week."
NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS 30 (Kye Cooper, Lachlan Offley, Jaylen Taewa, Robert Simon, Cameron Bevan, Levi Dangerfield tries, Bo Peisley 3gls) d GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 16 (Charlie Henderson, Brady Roser, Jacob Cordina tries, Ryan Witherdin 2gls).
