CARLIN Anderson has already landed a contract with the Broncos but fans are a long way from seeing the best of the Ipswich Jets star.
Anderson will wear the No. 1 jersey when the Jets tackle PNG Hunters at Kougari Oval on Sunday for a spot in the Intrust Super Cup grand final.
Ipswich have been the form team of the finals series, posting 98 points in their two games so far, and are in the box seat to book a berth against Townsville in next Sunday’s decider.
Manly-bound hooker Matt Parcell was the star of last weekend’s win over Easts with his five tries but Anderson could play a starring role against the Hunters.
The Ipswich Grammar graduate has represented Queensland in league, rugby, football and cricket at junior levels and is regarded as an athletic freak.
But he is a long way from being a finished product, according to Jets co-coach Ben Walker.
“Carlin’s a wonderful talent,” Walker said.
“He does things on the footy field very few people can do.
“There are little things that aren’t obvious to people watching that I pick up that only the very elite are able to do.
“He knows what he has to do and he’s best is better than most. He’s pretty valuable to the team.
“We know he’s going to improve. He’s only 19 and getting better every week.”
The Hunters will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday after being forced to travel for what should have been a home final.
Playing the game in Port Moresby was a logistical nightmare which would have cost $200,000 so the Hunters have had to travel south for the encounter.
Just how taxing the travel, and last weekend’s loss to the Blackhawks, will be on the Hunters remains to be seen but Walker is confident the Jets are in a good space.
“It’s not time to be changing things or doing anything drastically different,” he said.
Parcell's five-try performance
Parcell's five-try performance
“We’re a real contender now.
“It’s five years in a row we have made the semis but this is as well as we have played.
“The team we’ve had for five years has grown into the team it is now.
“I know we’re ready. It’s just a matter of getting the job done on the day.”
Intrust Super Cup preliminary final: Hunters v Jets at Kougari Oval, tomorrow, 3pm. TV: Channel 9 live (Queensland).
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