AFTER two years at Souths Logan, Ipswich product Wes Conlon has impressed for the Ipswich Jets in the first two weekends of trial matches.
The livewire fullback was described as having the x-factor about him by Jets co-coach Shane Walker after the opening trials against Easts.
On Saturday against Norths, it earned him a full game in the top grade and he again impressed in the Jets’ loss.
Ipswich led the game with 10 minutes remaining before three Norths tries in the final minutes.
“I really liked my performance,” Conlon said.
“I only made a few mistakes – way less than in other games, because I’m fitter.”
Conlon lit up the Ipswich Rugby League in 2011 when his Swifts team won the grand final, before trying his hand at Souths Logan.
There he had mixed success, getting occasional runs in the Queensland Cup team without cementing a spot.
But with two young children, it was the travel factor that led him away from the Magpies.
“Home is a lot closer to training,” the Bundamba resident said. “I was thinking about having a year off. My mind wasn’t made up.”
A chat with the Walker brothers enticed him to the Jets.
“Ben and Shane said ‘come over for a chat and see how we play’,” he said.
Conlon liked what he heard and hasn’t been disappointed.
“They play my kind of footy,” he said.
“I call it backyard footy – playing whatever is in front of you.”
Conlon believes he is a much improved player after his two years with the Magpies.
“I learned just being patient,” he said.
“To be patient and calm.
“I used to try and do extra stuff.
“Now I do what I’ve got to do and know it’ll be right.”
Conlon has a tough task of retaining the Jets number one jersey once Javarn White returns to action.
But he is happy to play anywhere in the backline.
“My goal is just to play consistent footy,” he said.
“Minimise my mistakes and work on a few things.
“Like getting a bit more power in the gym and making the right decisions at the right times.”
Wherever he ends up playing, Conlon is confident the Jets are in for a good season.
“I like the look of what they’ve got going on with the skills side of things,” he said.
Jets v Norths
- Colts: Norths 16 def Ipswich 6 (Mitch Tuite try; Tre Sheppard goal)
- Reserves: Ipswich 24 def Norths 16 (scorers unavailable)
- 1st grade: Norths 28 def Ipswich 16 (Scott Ireland 2, Ray Schuster tries; Wes Conlon 2 goals)
Thanks to the QT and Tom Threadingham for the information, for more go to http://www.qt.com.au/news/conlon-brings-x-factor-with-him-to-impress-in-jets/2164684/