WESTERN Suburbs could soon become known as the NSW State Cup’s bridesmaids if they aren’t careful.
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They have appeared in three of the last four finals only to fall at the final hurdle, but Port Macquarie’s Paddy Coelho prefers to look at it from a different perspective.
“It doesn’t bother me to be honest,” he said.
“I’m happy we’re there on the final day; it’s a lot better than a lot of other teams, so you can’t complain about that.”
When the Magpies run out on field one at 9.10am on Friday, they will again hope to be there late on Sunday afternoon where they have had plenty of experience.
Bad luck usually comes in threes and after finals losses in 2013, 2014 and 2016, their run is surely due to end soon.
Last year’s defeat to Penrith was arguably their most heartbreaking after they trailed 3-0 early, before Coelho scored the first try in a run of four-straight where they took the lead.
I’m happy we’re there on the final day; it’s a lot better than a lot of other teams, so you can’t complain about that.
- Paddy Coelho
The Panthers then scored two of their own and held on in the dying minutes, denying Coelho his first State Cup title win.
He’s been with the black-and-whites for the last five years.
“We got very close last year and were very close two years before that,” he said.
“It was definitely there for us to take and unfortunately we were outplayed at the final step really, but these things happen.”
Despite playing in all three finals losses in the last four years, the 23-year-old said the thought of never winning a State Cup title had never crossed his mind.
“State Cup is the only tournament I haven’t won yet,” he said.
“I’m hoping it’ll happen one day and if it’s this year, it’s this year and if it’s not we move on.
“I’ve been playing men’s premier league for the last five years so hopefully our bad luck has run its course.”
Coelho admitted Doyalson would be the team to beat in the men’s open division after their Vawdon Cup success.
“They were strong all throughout the year and have proved year after year that State Cup is a good tournament for them,” he said.
“They’re building off their success from Vawdon like we did a few years ago so they’ll be the team to beat but it’s an open tournament.
“A lot of things need to go your way.”
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