Canungra Owls men’s coach Jeremy Mansfield says consistency and resilience have put his side in a strong position as it prepares for another finals campaign.
The Owls currently sit atop the competition ladder and are on track to qualify for the finals for a fifth consecutive season, having reached the post-season every year since 2021.
Despite their position, Mansfield said the campaign had presented challenges that the side had not typically encountered.
“It’s been a really great season for us,” he said.
“We’ve overcome a fair bit that we don’t usually have to experience.
“We lost a couple of our younger players to the under-18s and we’ve had some weeks where we’ve really struggled, but somehow we’ve scraped through.
“It’s really just a testament to all the effort we’ve been putting in.”
Mansfield said the setbacks had ultimately strengthened the squad by forcing players into unfamiliar roles throughout the season.
“I think it’s made us a much more versatile team,” he said.
“We’ve had players this year playing positions that we’ve not seen them in before, just out of sheer force.
“Every game we come out of without perhaps our full strength makes us stronger again.”
The Owls are no strangers to finals football, but last season’s grand final defeat remains fresh motivation.
“We’ve made the finals every year since 2021,” Mansfield said.
“We’ve failed to get that last piece in, so that is the ultimate goal, to finish off as strong as we can and finally take that one home.”
While leading the competition provides confidence, Mansfield said little separated the leading teams.
“It gives us confidence for sure, but there’s still just too many questions to be asked,” he said.
“Every time we’ve played these teams it’s felt different, so there’s still a lot to be drawn up in these last few games.”
Mansfield also credited the squad’s continuity as a key factor behind the club’s sustained success.
“For the most part, our team has stayed solidly the same, which always helps,” he said.
“You just understand the team you play with a bit better.”
With the finals approaching, the focus has shifted towards keeping players healthy.
“It’s all about recovery and keeping people healthy,” Mansfield said.
“We’re getting to that late stage of the season where injuries are a big factor. Training is about being consistent and making sure everyone is as fresh as possible heading into the finals.”
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