Group 20 rugby league
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BRENT Pike looks set to again shelve his retirement plans and continue on as captain-coach of premiers Tullibigeal-Lakes United next season.
Pike, who almost hung up the boots after leaving Leeton in 2012, will likely be confirmed as skipper at a club meeting on Wednesday night.
His decision to play on is a massive boost for the Sharks after the forward completed a stunning year in guiding TLU to their first premiership in 39 years.
But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the Group 20 player of the year, who told The Area News he wants to empty his tank in an effort to make it two in a row.
“To win it for the first time in 39 years is one thing but to go back-to-back for the first time in club history would be awesome,” Pike said.
“(Retirement has) crossed my mind again but I’ve had a good year this year.
“My body’s telling me to give up but my head’s telling me one more year.
“I’m keen to stay out there and do it all again. I’m keen and they’re keen.
“But nothing’s official yet until next week.”
However, the Sharks have been dealt a blow with the shock retirement of second-row star Michael Mogliotti.
The 24-year-old – rumoured to have been a target of his junior club, the Black and Whites – has told TLU teammates he will not play next year, according to Pike.
Pike said he doubted Mogliotti was going to “pull a swifty” and sign with the Griffith club.
“He told us the other day that he’s retiring but whatever he does is his business.
Nobody’s going to hate him for it,” he said.
“Last I heard he’s retiring – he wants to go out on a winning note.
“He is a loyal man and what he says is straight down the line.
“I’m sure he’d talk to Lake and give them every opportunity to stay with the club if he is thinking that way.
“I don’t think he’ll pull a swifty.”
Pike said he was disappointed Mogliotti, who scored nine tries in a sensational season with the Sharks, has called time so early in his career.
“He’s only 24 so he’s still got a lot of years left in him,” he said.
“He could be playing for the next five or six years and win a lot more premierships if he wanted to. It’s a bit of a waste.
“He had a cracker of a year playing second row for us but then again, if he wants to go out on a high it’s a good time to do it.”
Meanwhile, The Area News understands Darlington Point-Coleambally are close to signing a new captain-coach for next season to replace the retiring Andrew Herbert, and could make the announcement next week.
But the search will continue on for the Waratah Tigers, who have so far had no luck in finding a successor to Danny Graham and Viliami Ngu.