Shearers tipping a change of footy fortunes
FROM barely being able to field a side to ambitiously targeting a finals berth 12 months later.
That’s the story of the Ormeau Shearers as they head into the second part of the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League pre- season full of hope. They lost all 15 games of A-grade last season before having to forfeit the last two rounds due to a shortage of players.
It left questions hanging over the club’s future in the premier league but Shearers president John Coulter is adamant an upturn in fortunes is just around the corner.
“We are definitely A-grade. We’re up there for the longterm,” he said.
“We would like to be up around fourth or fifth if we can. That’s ambitious I suppose but we have got some talent kicking around there now.”
A major factor behind Coulter’s optimism is the appointment of Julius Kuresa as coach.
Kuresa was assistant in Runaway Bay’s shock grand final charge this year and so highly is he thought of, Ian Frame – set to score the top job – volunteered to step aside.
“He ran into Julius and actually thought Julius would be the perfect fit,” Coulter said, adding Frame remains heavily involved at the club.
“Just the way he (Kuresa) holds himself as a man, that’s the way we want the club to go.
“Julius has actually brought his team of five trainers with him. He is very professional.
“Everything is looking very positive.”
Pre-season resumes on January 9, having completed four weeks pre-Christmas.