Toby try spree
TOBY McIntosh is striving to prove his worth at Queensland Cup level next year after establishing himself as a tryscoring machine in his first season at Burleigh.
McIntosh was signed by the Bears after being crowned the 2016 Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League player of the year and he has repaid their faith by helping the club to a third straight Gold Coast Rugby League grand final.
He has scored 21 tries in 18 matches this season to easily
lead the competition in the four-pointer category.
The 2016 leading tryscorer Troy Leo – who crossed 26 times in 15 games for Southport – this year progressed to the QCup via Burleigh.
He had little issue making the step up, scoring 10 tries in 11 state league games.
McIntosh is confident of the Bears’ chances when they go head-to-head with Bay for the premiership on Sunday.
Beyond that the 22-yearold, who has been shuffled between wing and fullback, hopes to take his career up a gear soon.
McIntosh has already resigned for 2018 and will hope to push his case for a QCup call-up with a big pre-season.
“I think I have had a successful year so I would say I’d be knocking on the door hopefully,” he said.
A stable foreman who lives in Pottsville, he believes his move to the Bears has paid dividends.
“It’s almost the same level (as playing in the NRRRL for Murwillumbah) but it’s just the way we prepare for a game,” he said.
“I have learnt a lot more just from being in a club such as Burleigh which is a lot more professional.
“You get better every week by just being around their players as well.”
Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 3pm at Pizzey Park, features a Bay side who stunned champions Tugun in the preliminary final.