Toowoomba duo named to face Brisbane
RUGBY LEAGUE: Toowoomba will have two more players running out onto the field tomorrow night in Warwick as the town prepares for its first NRL trial fixture.
The Souths Logan Magpies have named both Gerome Burns and Cody McIntosh in its side to take on the Brisbane Broncos at Father Ranger Oval.
Burns was a part of the Western Mustangs 2017 U18s premiership success, and will line up against his halves partner from that season, Cory Paix.
Souths Logan coach Jon Buchanan said the club was thrilled to have him come into its side for 2019.
“He is a young Broncos kid that has come to us out of their system, and he is a really exciting prospect,” Buchanan said.
“For a young kid he is confident, trains really hard and is super fit.
“He would’ve played last week (against Tweed Heads) but had a slight ankle injury at training. It was nothing major but enough to keep him out.
“The challenge for him is playing against men week in, week out after coming through the aged system.
“Gerome is nice and aggressive for a little fella, and we’re really excited to see what he can bring for us.”
He will distribute the ball to the forward pack that includes McIntosh, who has been a regular for the Magpies after finishing his junior football at Highfields.
“Cody is mad,” Buchanan said. “He has a real limited football ability, and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way.
“He has a strong work ethic and the way he applies himself, he’s probably the strongest bloke in the club.
“Cody is a good club man and leaves it out on the field. He was one of our best against Tweed Heads, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes against Brisbane.”
As the Magpies prepare for their Intrust Super Cup season, this weekend shapes up as their toughest hit-out of the off season.
Buchanan said he has named a strong team to mix it with the Broncos young guns.
“A number of our players will run out for the Broncos. Of our non-Broncos contracted players, we’re just a few players from our strongest team, so it will be a good test to see where we are at,” he said.
“Their forward pack is as good as any in the state league, and with a few of the young boys starting for them, there is the potential to play over 100 first grade games.
‘‘ GEROME IS NICE AND AGGRESSIVE FOR A LITTLE FELLA, AND WE’RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HE CAN BRING FOR US.
JON BUCHANAN