A New Era for the Dragons
St George Illawarra’s Toby Couchman is determined to lead the young Dragons pack towards a brighter future. His impressive performance in his 50th NRL match was a sign of what’s to come, and it certainly bodes well for the team.
In a thrilling encounter at Suncorp Stadium, where the Red V triumphed 30-26 over Brisbane, Couchman and opposing prop Payne Haas were the standout forwards. Despite the loss, Haas’ performance was nothing short of remarkable, as he ran for an impressive 281 meters on his return from a six-week injury lay-off.
Couchman’s contribution to the win was significant. He managed to run for 215 meters and made 41 tackles. The former Thirroul Butchers junior expressed his joy at the victory, but also took the opportunity to address some misconceptions about the team’s efforts behind the scenes.
“We’ve been working our arse off at training. Every week we show up, we rip in, that’s the whole team, that’s the coaches,” he said. “We’re not taking the piss. It’s not like some people say. We’re ripping in every day and that’s what makes it so hard losing, because we’re going into every game thinking we can win if we play our footy.”
Building a Strong Foundation
The win marked a break from a 15-game losing streak, and Couchman believes it could be the start of something more. “It’s been a rocky start to the season, and the club deserves better, so to get a win, hopefully it’s the first of many,” he said.
Caretaker coach Dean Young has played a crucial role in instilling belief within the team. Couchman noted that the side had been building towards this breakthrough win after improved performances against Penrith and the Warriors. “It’s so good and it’s such a relief because of how hard the season has been,” he added.
A Young and Talented Pack
The Dragons’ current squad is filled with young talent. Toby and his twin brother Ryan, who plays lock, are both 22 years old. Starting prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga and second-row pairing Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart are all just 21. Together, they showed their potential in the match against the Broncos.
“I never want to let anyone down and I know the boys, the young forwards, I love playing with them,” Couchman said. “My brother obviously, love playing with him. Hamish, Dylan, I’ve played with them growing up a bit, they just work their arse off. Now Loko is in there and he’s a beast. It’s good having him out there too.”
Looking Ahead to the Future
Despite the challenges faced this season, Couchman remains focused on the next week. However, he acknowledges the potential for growth within the team. Combining the young pack with upcoming arrivals such as NSW duo Connor Watson and Keaon Koloamantagi, North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater, Warriors playmaker Luke Metcalf, and Gold Coast try scorer Phil Sami, there is a lot to be excited about for the Red V’s future.
“Obviously the season has been hard this year – so it’s hard to look too far forward and focus on that – but when you really think about it, there is a possibility here that we could do something big,” Couchman said. “I definitely want to be a part of it.”
A Battle Against a Legend
Couchman’s performance against the formidable Haas was commendable. Although the Broncos’ prop ran for 281 meters, Couchman held his own in the battle. “When he came onto the scene, I loved watching him,” he said. “He’s an amazing player and we didn’t handle him too well, but it is pretty cool going up against someone like that.”
