Granty
15-09-2005, 08:31 AM
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16609030%255E14787,00.html
Rivals now Guns mates
By ADAM GARDINI
15sep05
THIS time last year, Jason Barsley and Brent McConnell were preparing to go head-to-head for the Queensland Cup premiership with respective clubs Easts and Burleigh.
On Saturday at Suncorp Stadium, the pair will be involved again in the competition's showpiece.
But this time they'll be in the same trenches, trying to help the Young Guns to victory over the side McConnell celebrated a premiership with last season.
"We've spoken about it and I've been giving it to him a bit," McConnell said of Burleigh's 22-18 win in extra time over Barsley's Easts last year.
"It's good to be on his side.
"He's been really good for us this year and he's been really safe at the back."
Young Guns coach Grant Bell said Barsley and McConnell had both had an important impact on the side's success this season.
"I think Brent's changed his role throughout the year and is playing some good football," Bell said of the 24-year-old who joined the Young Guns this year.
"He's sharing the responsibility of being a running player and an organising player as well.
"I think he had been a very good running player in an older experienced side and that's not to understate what he was doing.
"But I think he's a better player working with the team, certainly now."
Barsley, a 27-year-old Queensland Cup veteran, returned to North Queensland after a one-year stint with Easts last year.
He made one appearance with the Cowboys this season.
"You know, there's a consistency about the way he plays," Bell said.
"He has a great capacity to be in the right spot at the right time."
The Young Guns were installed by TAB Sportsbet yesterday as $1.30 favourites over Burleigh ($3.20) to claim the Queensland Cup premiership.
The Young Guns leave for Brisbane tomorrow from Townsville Airport at 1.40pm on Qantas flight QF973 and return on Saturday night at 9.20pm aboard flight QF978.
Rivals now Guns mates
By ADAM GARDINI
15sep05
THIS time last year, Jason Barsley and Brent McConnell were preparing to go head-to-head for the Queensland Cup premiership with respective clubs Easts and Burleigh.
On Saturday at Suncorp Stadium, the pair will be involved again in the competition's showpiece.
But this time they'll be in the same trenches, trying to help the Young Guns to victory over the side McConnell celebrated a premiership with last season.
"We've spoken about it and I've been giving it to him a bit," McConnell said of Burleigh's 22-18 win in extra time over Barsley's Easts last year.
"It's good to be on his side.
"He's been really good for us this year and he's been really safe at the back."
Young Guns coach Grant Bell said Barsley and McConnell had both had an important impact on the side's success this season.
"I think Brent's changed his role throughout the year and is playing some good football," Bell said of the 24-year-old who joined the Young Guns this year.
"He's sharing the responsibility of being a running player and an organising player as well.
"I think he had been a very good running player in an older experienced side and that's not to understate what he was doing.
"But I think he's a better player working with the team, certainly now."
Barsley, a 27-year-old Queensland Cup veteran, returned to North Queensland after a one-year stint with Easts last year.
He made one appearance with the Cowboys this season.
"You know, there's a consistency about the way he plays," Bell said.
"He has a great capacity to be in the right spot at the right time."
The Young Guns were installed by TAB Sportsbet yesterday as $1.30 favourites over Burleigh ($3.20) to claim the Queensland Cup premiership.
The Young Guns leave for Brisbane tomorrow from Townsville Airport at 1.40pm on Qantas flight QF973 and return on Saturday night at 9.20pm aboard flight QF978.