"Wheats ghosts around the rugby field, one minute he's there and the next ...gone."
A country lad Wheats played Aussie Rules as a junior whilst growing up in Condobolin. At Yanco High he played rugby, league mostly, and was a member of their University Shield winning team in 1996. From there he graduated to Group 20 Rugby League playing for Yanco-Wamoon and then for a trial with the Illawarra Steelers. Soon however he found himself at Albury attending University and playing for the Southern Rams (now Albury Thunder). Paul McFadyen convinced Wheats to join the Steamers in 1999 and that was the start of a rugby career that had many highlights. After back-to-back premierships with the Steamers Wheats went off try his luck in the big smoke playing with the Eastwood Club. That year he clocked up another Grand Final success with the Clubs 2nd XV and followed that up with 1st Grade Grand Final appearances in 2003,4 & 5. In all Wheats played over 100 games for the Woodies. |
Mick Alexander remembers the last time that he and Wheatley were partnered in the centres for a NSW Country President's XV playing against the Sydney Representative side. On that occasion they were opposed to the Wallaby pair, Nathan Grey and Shaun Berne. A great achievement for 2 Steamers
In 2010 Wheats returned to Albury and was convinced to again get on board with the Steamers. He was an important part of the rebuilding of the Club after successive Grand Final losses in 2004 & 5 heralded a slide to the bottom of the SIRU ladder.
In 2012 the Steamers under Nathan Bright’s leadership had Wheatley playing the custodian’s role and bringing his experience to play in guiding many of the youngsters in the back division. Even if some of the explosive speed had worn off in 14 seasons of senior rugby Wheats still had the ability to find a gap and initiate a counterattack. Wheats ghosts around the rugby field, one minute he is there and the next minute he is gone. Importantly his presence at fullback gave the whole team an added air confidence. The fact that Wheats was the top point scorer in SIRU in 2012 re-enforced both his ability and his value to the Steamers side. He was obviously far from a spent force.
Last year the Steamers succumbed to a very good Wagga Ag College side by 1 point in a game that many pundits thought was the best match every witnessed at Connolly Rugby Park. Desperately unlucky on day many of the Steamers vowed to return to Connolly to wipe out the memory of that game and get the Steamers back on top.
Wheats has teamed up with his old partner Mick Alexander in the centres in the later part of the season and it is likely that the pair will take the 12 & 13 jumpers on grand final day. They will be part of a Steamers side that has not been beaten this year. They will meet a resurgent Wagga Waratahs determined to steal the 2013 Premiership Shield.
A quiet disposition echos Wheatley's on field persona. Yet when he does proffer his point of view everyone listens. In many ways he is the antithesis of his mate Mick Alexander and perhaps that is why they make such a good pair. On and off the field a perfect gentleman and a great bloke.
There is no certainty in life nor in sport but if Nathan Bright lifts the SIRU Premiership Shield this year you can bet that Justin Wheatley will have played a big part.