Flyhalf key to Surfers future
THIS is the man Surfers Paradise plan to build their powerhouse club around long-term – but he may have just as central a role to play in the immediate future.
John Karatasios will line up for the Dolphins in the Gold Coast District Rugby Union decider against Griffith University Colleges on Saturday as his club chases a premiership three-peat.
The 25-year-old flyhalf has developed an understanding for the rivalry between the two clubs, who have contested every grand final since his heroics to help the Gold Coast Eagles defeat Bond Pirates in the 2015 title match.
“I didn’t realise there was such a big rivalry until I came over,” Karatasios said.
“I think it’s good. It’s a good, healthy rivalry and it makes it a good spectacle and competition for everyone. It will be a cracker of a game.”
He warned their stinging 20-18 loss to the Knights in week one of the finals had only made Surfers “tighter” and “a lot more motivated”.
Karatasios switched across from the Eagles this season with a desire to improve his game under the guidance of playing coach and ex-Italy Test player Kris Burton.
“You can’t turn down opportunities like that, especially
as me and Kris play in the same position so it is only going to help me in the long term,” he said.
It’s an opportunity the Dolphins feel they can gain plenty from, too, with Karatasios shaping as an ideal successor when Burton retires after the grand final.
“He is someone that we’re intending to build the club around,” Surfers general manager Michael Bell said of Karatasios.
“He’s a smart young fella and a smart young footballer. He has come through TSS (The Southport School) so he has got a good rugby brain.
“While he was injured, he was helping out with the coaching of second grade. He’s a level-two coach as well so we have big plans for building the club around him.”
The injury Bell referred to was a fractured wrist that sidelined Karatasios for three months earlier in the year and forced him to miss representative honours including playing for the Gold Coast Cyclones.