Brisbane forward Xavier Willison has shut down claims his side “don’t care” after slumping to their 15th loss of the season, saying they are playing for more than pride as the season comes to an end.
Following their 40-6 loss against a rampant Warriors last round, coach Michael Maguire was highly critical of the performance, warning more pain was to come if the squad didn’t improve and they would “cop the same” result when they faced Canberra.
Willison however was one who could hold his head high after the game, scoring his side’s lone try, as well as making just under 100 run metres (98), a line break and 43 tackles.
Xavier Willison Try
“We had not our best performance on the weekend past, so we're only looking to improve,” Willison said.
“We're still playing for our fans, our families, the jersey.
“There's definitely the care factor there.
“The boys care. They don't want to let each other down.
“They don't want to let anyone down at the club and our fans.
“We don't like letting our fans down, so there's definitely a care factor there.”
The Kiwi and Cook Islands representative said he could see that resolve at training, with the side putting in the effort in their early week sessions.
“I thought we really got after it (during the training session)," Willison said.
"We got through everything pretty well and we are looking to improve from last week's game.
“We just want to keep playing for our fans and the jersey. That's the main thing we want to keep playing for, our fans and our families.”
With their finals defence now over, the attention of many Brisbane fans is turning to next year and what their team may look like, with players like captain Adam Reynolds retiring and leading forward Payne Haas moving to the Rabbitohs.
Although still only 72 appearances into his NRL career, Willison was confident he could step up to help fill in the void, comfortable with how he had performed throughout this season when Haas was out of the side with injury and Origin. He also praised the Samoa forward for the way he has helped in his development.
“I think this year through the run we had, I definitely did that stepping up,” Willison said.
“Hopefully I can just keep moving forward to next year.
(Haas has) definitely helped with my maturity, growing up and to that senior sort of role, helping me be comfortable out there to do my job for the team.
“(It is with) what he does off the field too, which is getting his body right, how he eats.”
This week’s line-up has seen another shuffle of positions, with Ben Hunt named to start at halfback. With Reece Walsh ruled out for the rest of the regular season, Hayze Perham has also been called up to fill in again in the fullback role.
Perham has previously filled the role on three occasions this season, as well as coming off the bench in Brisbane’s Round 7 win over Wests Tigers.
“I've been in and around the team for the whole year, so I'm blessed either way to be playing or not, to be in the position I am to make this a job,” Perham said.
“It's an excellent opportunity for me to go out with the boys and all I want to do is do my job and hopefully get the team the win.”
Playing for Souths Logan Magpies when not in the NRL team, Perham has been enjoying working with Walsh – who has stated he will be fit to play if picked for Australia in the Rugby League World Cup.
“Obviously, being behind him, it's really good to see the way that he operates, and he's a bit of a different character,” Perham said.
“He's still very young, you know what I mean? So, I can teach him a few things, he teaches me a few things.
“But it's really cool to see him. He's a world-class player and it's unfortunate he's picked up that injury, but we have an opportunity this week to get after it.”
Match: Raiders v Broncos
Round 25 -
home Team
Raiders
12th Position
away Team
Broncos
16th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
