NRC Grand Final Player Profiles: Perth Spirit
Perth Spirit have stormed into the 2016 NRC Grand Final, after upsetting the Sydney Rays at Rat Park on Sunday afternoon, and this Saturday in Tamworth against the NSW Country Eagles they’ll have the opportunity to exorcise the demons of losing the 2014 decider to Brisbane City.
Spirit Captain Heath Tessmann didn’t play that game, but as many as nine of those who did remain in contention to be selected for the ‘Pigs’ this week. Their squad this year is yet again a mix of youth and experience, and of professional players and stars from Perth’s Pindan Premier Grade.
RUPA spoke to Tessmann in the lead-up to the game, and asked him to provide the inside knowledge on each of his squad’s players in preparation for the big dance.
By Heath Tessmann
Ainsley, Jermaine (6 games in 2016):
“Jermaine Ainsley is the future of tighthead props in Australia. I have no doubt he’ll be a Wallaby one day; his mentality, and his focus on scrummaging first and foremost, is something you