New to the Club in 2016, Kurt Capewell went within a whisker of featuring in the Sharks' Grand Final win over the Storm, just four matches into his NRL career.
Speaking with Sharks TV ahead of the Christmas break, the rangy backrower from Central Queensland looked back on his wild season, where in he starred for both the Sharks and the Newtown Jets as required throughout the season.
Capewell made an impressive NRL debut for the Sharks against Penrith in Round 18, and so would fate have it, would go on to prove an integral player in the Sharks’ Qualifying Final victory over the Canberra Raiders.
“I was lucky enough around Origin to get my break against Penrith,” said Capewell.
“I just played it as usual … I tried to stay as relaxed as possible, but obviously there were going to be some nerves there.”
Playing just two regular season matches prior to making his first NRL Finals appearance, the 24-year-old was thrown into the deep end against the Raiders, entering the fray in the seventh minute in place of Wade Graham who was forced from the field with a head knock.
“I’d played on the right side all year, so to be thrown in on the left side was good,” Capewell said.
“And I handled it alright I think. Obviously there’s going to be nerves and you’ve just go to try and channel those nerves into good energy.”
A Member of the Ipswich Jets’ squad which took out the Intrust Super Cup in 2015, Capewell kitted up for Grand Final days at ANZ Stadium in 2015 and 2016 – but did not take the field on either occasion.
“It was mixed emotions, but I was ‘happy as Larry’ to be there and to go on and see the boys win it. It was an unforgettable experience.”
With pre-season training winding down ahead of the Christmas break, Capewell said he and the squad are preparing well ahead of the 2017 season.
Watch the full interview with Capewell, playing now on Sharks TV.
