Irate Bears did not miss Walker’s shot
BURLEIGH Bears officials are fuming at claims made by their Ipswich rivals following a weekend clash between the sides.
Burleigh extended their lead in the Intrust Super Cup standings with a 42-20 thrashing but Jets co-coach Ben Walker insinuated the 2016 premiers used illegal tactics and declared the scoreline will be different once referees clue in.
“Next time we play Burleigh we won’t have any fear, because by then I’m hoping the referees have caught on to what ‘catching’ and ‘slow the play-the-ball’ means when (Burleigh) are yelling it in their ear,” Walker told The Queensland Times.
“It means they’re going to get three in the tackle and slow the play-the-ball down to a walk.
“Once the referees realise they aren’t allowed to do that, and start blowing penalties for it, we won’t have any trouble against them.”
Publicly, Burleigh are giving the matter the silent treatment with knowledge of their longtime stranglehold over the competition’s flashiest outfit.
The Jets have tasted victory over the Bears in just one of seven encounters since Jimmy Lenihan – a former Ipswich player – reclaimed his position as the Pizzey Park club’s coach in 2014. Lenihan led the club from 2006 to 2009.
The aggregate of those seven matches is 252-112 in Burleigh’s favour – an average scoreline of 36-16 – giving the side ammunition to defend their role in the rivalry.
Next up for the Bears is a home match against the inform Northern Pride on Saturday, while the seventh-placed Jets face Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval the following day.