Brothers in arms

 

BROTHERLY love could spur on Troy and Grant Giess in the 2010 Queensland Cup season.

Grant was all set to join his older brother at Dolphin Oval this season, undertaking the off-season rigours before telling the club late last month that he was sitting out the season to concentrate on university studies.

However Troy, a sensation with the Dolphins in his curtailed 2009 season, is still hopeful his sibling may turn out this season in the red and white.

If that comes to fruition, the pair has a burning ambition to play first grade together this season.

By achieving that, they would join illustrious pairing such as premiership centres Jason and Ricky McGrady, who terrorised opposition backlines in 1994-95, and tough-as-teak forwards Terry and Michael Webb, the sons of club president Des.

Troy Giess joined Redcliffe from Wests Panthers, where he had played twos years of Colts and a season of FOGS A grade.

He was given a crack at the Queensland Cup last season by then coach Gary O'Brien, playing eight fixtures in a competitive backrow before a broken collarbone curtailed his season.

"I broke it in four places and there was a lot of nerve damage," Troy, 22, said.

 

"I came back late in the season in reserve grade and my shoulder wasn't right.

"But I'm right to go now and have been doing full contact drills since December.

 

I've got my strength back now in my shoulders and I only have to get it strapped as a precaution."

 

Troy said that despite his injury trials, he thoroughly enjoyed his debut season at Dolphin Oval.

"I liked that step-up and it provided a new challenge for me," he said.

 

"When I first came to the club it was the little things that I didn't realise needed to be done in your game.

"I know most of them now and Grant said the same thing when he arrived."

At 96 kilograms, Troy has put on 3 kilograms since last season, an asset that he will need to secure a backrow spot against the likes of captain Danny Burke, Derrick Watkins, Kris Kahler and the returning Ben Jones.

"There's heaps of competition this season for a backrow spot," he said.

 

"It's good though. I was a bit surprised to get a gig last year but as my confidence grew I felt at home."

Grant Giess has just turned 20 and arrived at Dolphin Oval on the back of successive premierships.

He was a member of the Wests Colts side that took out the 2008 title and then was called into the Panthers' grand final side that beat Redcliffe in FOGS A grade.

"Grant was in the Norths system as he was on a Storm scholarship when he was going through Wavell High," Troy said.

A hooker or half, Grant could provide competition to incumbents for a top spot at either halfback or five-eighth.

"We would both like to play first grade together," Troy said.

"We have never played footy together as we are a couple of years apart.

"We are certainly used to the gibes you get as brothers like 'he's the better Giess'. We copped it at Wests and you get used to it."

The Giess brothers played their junior footy at the Brighton Roosters with Troy knowing Liam Georgetown and James Crombie through that club.

"Hopefully it all works out well," he said.

 

"Grant said to me the other day how much he had learned in just a few weeks.

"I've noticed that with the new strength and conditioning coach how much more specific the types of fitness programs we are doing.

"I like gym work and my shoulder has really come on and I've increased my strength a lot.

"We've had off-season testing and it is making us all accountable for the work we do.

 

If you don't beat your past weight and beep test measurements you are deducted points.

"With all the blokes from the NRL you know that they will be up to that standard of fitness.

 

Ben Jones is always a good trainer and I know I have to match that effort."

Troy, who lives at Everton Hills, is in his second year of a primary school teaching degree at the Catholic University at Banyo.

 

By Myles McIvor - February 3, 2010

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