Some players would look out of place in any other jumper: Delouse Hoeter may have played for the Townsville Blackhawks and Norths Devils, but the damaging centre looks truly at home in the Green and Red of Wynnum Manly.
Hoeter has become a Chook Pen favourite at Wynnum, the Seagulls’ fans know what they like, and they love Delouise Hoeter.
He played his first game for the Seagulls in 2018 and this week against the Redcliffe Dolphins he will play number 100 for the Seagulls.
Hoeter has owned the Seagulls right hand side for 99 games and can’t wait to bring up the century for Wynnum.
His deft lines and effective passing game makes being his outside winger a prime piece of real estate.
Hoeter will be the 19th player to play 100 games for Wynnum.
“I am really proud to play 100 games for Wynnum, they gave me a chance and my goal was to play NRL again and Wynnum facilitated that dream.” Hoeter reflected.
“There have been so many highlights across those 100 games, winning the Mitch Cronin Cup this year and Country round in Cloncurry in 2019 where we beat the Cutters 34-12 are some of the best though.”
In the 2021 preliminary final at the home of Queensland Rugby League, Hoeter rose to the moment, scoring a hat-trick which propelled his side to the Grand Final.
From his first try off a Selwyn Cobbo flick pass, to his third try off a short drop out spin and score - Hoeter put in one of the greatest finals performances from a Seagull since Wally Lewis scored three tries against the Souths Magpies in the 1984 Major Semi Final.
“That was a highlight, Tweed scored first and from 6-0 down to be up 22-6 at half time was a highlight.
“To play in that Wynnum team with Sam Scarlett and Ed Burns was a great time in my life.”
One of Hoeter’s best mates is former Wynnum player Ed Burns.
Burns played 73 Hostplus Cup games for Wynnum and Redcliffe and can’t wait to shake his mate’s hand on Saturday to congratulate him on his 100 games.
“I will be there for sure to celebrate his 100th - what a great achievement for Del,” Burns said.
“I think he resonates with Wynnum because he came there and worked hard for them, he improved himself and Wynnum.
“I think he would be the first to admit that he went down to the Tigers as the child prodigy, came back went to Townsville and Norths but when he got to Wynnum he knew this was probably his last chance.
“He’s a great role model and 100 games is special; there would be countless younger players like Selwyn Cobbo that are better off having come across Del in their career.”
Hoeter will be on the right-hand side on Sunday for Wynnum, running and giving wingers more time and space for them to score - and the Chook Pen will be loving their man for the 100th time.
