Herbert River veteran to hang up boots after 30 years in grand final thriller

Author: Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer
Timestamp: Fri 9 Sep 2022, 12:27 PM

Mitchell Seri has dedicated 30 years of his life to the Herbert River Crushers.

He started playing with them when he was just five-years-old and, despite a one-year hiatus in 2012 to play with the Northern Pride in the Hostplus Cup, he will hang up his boots in Crushers colours this weekend in the best way possible - with a grand final appearance.

The A grade player-coach has decided to call time on his career as Herbert River prepare to battle it out with Townsville Brothers for the Rugby League Townsville and Districts title.

Seri said he made the decision long before his side qualified for the premiership decider.

“It’s time,” he said ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

“I knew at the start of the year that more than likely this year was going to be it. I really didn’t tell any of the players until about a month ago.

“It’s one of those things. You talk to some of the old players and they tell you that you know when it’s time. It’s nothing you can put your finger on, but I have that feeling within myself.

“The club is very special to me. Everything we do and achieve we have to work really hard for. That’s why it’s so special to me.

“We don’t get anything given to us and it’s a good group of people that are trying to row the boat in the same direction, which is important.

“I don’t really know anything else. I’ve played for so long, I don’t remember not playing. I grew up in a rugby league family so it’s ingrained in me.”

Rugby League Townsville & District GRAND FINAL DAY😁 THE BIG DANCE🏆 Catch all the action live Townsville Sports Reserve from 10.30am this Sunday🏉
Posted by Rugby League Townsville & District on Monday, September 5, 2022

Seri said he is not only retiring from playing, but also stepping back from coaching for a while after taking over the reins in 2018.

Given his longevity with the club, he has been there for all four of the club’s titles, including their maiden premiership in 2006 and their most recent victory in 2016.

They’ve had a tough trot of late, coming close over the past three years, including two grand final losses and a preliminary final loss last season to Brothers.

While retiring in a grand final can lead to some added pressure, Seri said he isn’t feeling it and is grateful that he is also the coach as it means he has to focus on his team.

But he is ready to put their recent past behind them.

“The last few years we’ve been there or thereabouts,” he said.

“It would be massive for the club to get this premiership. That’s our next challenge.

“We’re sick of always playing second fiddle. We’ve been the bridesmaids the last few years. It’s something we’ve spoken about and we understand the importance behind it.

“Of course we’d like that fairy tale ending but we’re also realists. Townsville Brothers have been a heavyweight in this competition for forever.

“I’ve been in senior footy for nearly 20 years and they’ve been the benchmark for the past two decades so it's not going to be easy.

“We’re prepared to take it down to the last minute against them. One thing I can always say about my boys is we will never walk off the field and not say we put in 100 per cent.

“We’ll leave no stone unturned.”