Tough Tilse key to semi-final game

Hard yards: Rhinos’ Tim Tilse will be a key player in today’s elimination semi-final against Cudgen.

WHEN it comes to hard-nosed bush footballers, they don’t come much tougher than Rhinos prop-forward Tim Tilse.

Tilse is the last of the hard-graft no-nonsense players and is regarded as the cornerstone of the Grafton Rhinos pack.

A strong silent type, Tilse will be a key player when the Rhinos clash with the Cudgen Hornets in the elimination semi-final at Ned Byrne Field Kingscliff today.

Tilse has been a shining light for the Rhinos this season with his damaging running style and stinging defence.

Described as a chunky ball of granite, the Rhinos’ hardman admits he may not possess the ball-playing skills of other front-rowers but is happy to do the hard yards for his teammates.

“I’ve never been that good at passing the ball,” Tilse says.

“I started playing front row in the under-14s for the Rebels and they moved me to the second-row for one game.

“I tried to pass the ball and they put me straight back into the front-row.

“When I do try and pass I stuff it up.

“I’m happy to do my bit and try and make 10 metres each time and help out the backs.”

Growing up in the small community of Coutts Crossing, Tilse started his rugby league career playing for the South Grafton Rebels under-14 side and progressed through the ranks.

“After I played under-14s I played 15s, 16s and 18s but I didn’t play the last year with the Rebels,” he says.

“I moved up the coast with my girlfriend for about eight months then decided to come back.

“I missed playing footy.

“I started playing again when the Rhinos first entered the competition.”

An apprentice carpenter, Tilse has never experienced semi-final football but according to the tough-as-nails front-rower he has received plenty of advice from his captain and experienced playmaker Steve Kirby.

“I’ve never played semi-final football but I’ve been told it’s a lot faster and a lot tougher,” he says.

“Xavier (Sullivan) and Steve talked about it at training during the week and they told me to enjoy the experience.”

Cudgen boasts one of the best packs in the NRRRL and with halfback and general Craig Field leading them around the paddock, the Hornets will be a huge test for a Rhinos side lacking big-match experience.

“Cudgen will be a lot tougher this time and we’ll need to focus on getting numbers in tackles,” Tilse says.

“We need to get them on their backs and slow the play down. They (Cudgen) have a couple of good forwards back and we’ll also have to shut down Craig Field who is good at organising them.”