Leary still has heart set on Coast NRL break
BLAKE Leary wasted no time in making clear that his move home to the Gold Coast was by no means a decision to wind down and settle.
The 27-year-old was man of the match in his first game since switching to Burleigh as the Bears stunned Sunshine Coast 34-22 on Saturday.
Leary was Townsville’s Intrust Super Cup player of the year in 2017 but departed in search of a chance to add to the 32 first grade matches he played across stints at the Cowboys and Sea Eagles.
“It wasn’t to come back and settle,” he said. “Obviously I would love to move back when I retire but it was a career move.
“I could see an opportunity or a pathway into the Titans and the Titans are my favourite side. It would be a dream come true; growing up on the Coast you always want to play for the team you follow.”
An avid surfer, Leary grew up playing for Ormeau, Southport, Parkwood and then Nerang before being picked up by the Melbourne Storm. The second-rower scored a trial opportunity for the Titans this pre-season and bigger things could lie in wait.
Leary played the full 80 minutes against the Falcons but the damage was done in the first stanza. Burleigh led 24-0 by halftime after Hayden Schwass crossed in the opening two minutes of the season.
A Sunshine Coast resurgence brought the scoreline back to 28-22 before Bears prop Josh Ailaomai capped a successful return from injury in his first game since the 2016 grand final by crashing over for the matchwinner.
Former Gold Coast prop Matt White also excelled.
Burleigh will have another stern test this Saturday against Redcliffe.