Wattle Warriors front-row stalwart Dale Perkins has gone out on a high – retiring from rugby league at the weekend.
Perkins, who joined the team in 2016, went out a winner with his team taking the Toowoomba Rugby League First Grade title one Sunday.
The 32-year-old Perkins played his junior league for Stanthorpe Gremlins starting as an under 12 and went on to play a couple of season for the Gremlins a Grade side before a move to the TRL playing for the side he his current team beat on Sunday, The Gatton Hawks.
Perkins was fortunate to win a grand final with Gatton in 2013 and ironically was beaten in 2014 while playing for Gatton by Wattles.
In 2016 he switched allegiances to Wattles and has played there since.
In 2018 he was a member of the Wattles side that suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Valley’s Roosters o the full-time siren.
Perkins was also fortunate to play for the Toowoomba Clydesdales Representative sides from 2014-2021, missing out on selection in 2016 due to injury.
He said some of his fondest memories were of the Clydesdale’s successes in the 25th battalion representative competitions.
A front rower who never took a backward step in his career Perkins called time an outstanding career – finishing with a third grand final win and his first for the club that has been his home since 2016.
The retirement of Perkins is sure to be a big loss to Wattles engine room. The lanky prop is unsure of his future but has not ruled out a coaching stint.
