Steve Plath not sure how to take the praise from his coach Graham Kong
Wynnum Manly Rugby League halfback Steve Plath is still not sure how to take the claim of his coach Graham Kong that he is “the best halfback in the competition”.
Should he be pleased our faintly embarrassed at the claim which followed Seagulls’ 38-18 win over Souths at Kougari Oval last Sunday?
“I think Graham was having a bit of a sledge at me, although he is pretty enthusiastic bloke when it comes to us,” Plath said yesterday.
Even without his coach’s praise, Plath still managed to gain the maximum three points in The Courier Mail best and fairest award for a strong all-round match.
Plath, 24, the older brother of Broncos reserve grade halfback John, has followed a similar football path. Each played junior football In Wynnum after family moved there from Barcaldine and attended Brisbane State High School.
“I mainly played in the seconds, but John did okay in the firsts when he was there,” he said.
“I was in the 1985 Wynnum Under 18 side that won the premiership, along with Darren Whipps, Steve Malt and Paul Lineburg, so there’s a couple of us left.”
Plath played mainly wing last year until a broken leg towards the end of the season spelt the end of his season. The departure of Doug Belford to Norths opened a halfback spot for him this season and he has been a regular first grader.
“This is the first time I’ve really been serious about doing something with my football because it’s pretty easy in the past to just enjoy yourself and play on the weekend,” he said.
“The move back to Kougari Oval has helped us. We didn’t even like playing at Kianawah Road last year, so I can imagine opposition teams found it. “Kougari is one of the best grounds in Brisbane in my book.”
Plath sees a bright future for the club despite the likelihood of a wooden spoon be an unwelcome trophy for the second year in a row.
Story Source: The Courier Mail, 1991.
Photo Source: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
