READY TO FIRE EARLY
PREMIER LEAGUE KICKS OFF
THE importance of hitting the ground running this Gold Coast Premier League season isn’t lost on Round 1 rivals Broadbeach and Tweed United.
Given the honour of opening the 2019 campaign at Nikiforides Family Park tonight, the two sides have taken valuable lessons out of last season.
While Broadbeach learnt the hard way about the value of pre-season after the Commonwealth Games left them underdone, Tweed must fire early to ensure there is no repeat of a top-flight debut that ended in second-last place.
Runners-up for both pieces of silverware last season, Broadbeach’s slow start ultimately proved the difference as the Gold Coast Knights bowed out of the league with the title double.
Despite the exits of Luke Marsh, Luke Martinero and Connor Simpson, it is a tale captain Leon Bell is adamant will not be told again this year.
“Things were a bit disrupted last year with Commonwealth Games and not being able to train,” the 32-year-old defender said.
“We didn’t know how much it would hurt us until we were out on the pitch but things have definitely changed this pre-season.
““We have lost a couple, as everyone knows. We have got a few boys coming back from injury. It’s the same nucleus of players.
“We’re always thereabouts and we know what to expect from most teams. It will be a tough season, that’s for sure.
“We know we’re always hunted as a team. If you don’t turn up you can get beaten by anyone.
“There’s been heaps of ins (signings) from other clubs but you don’t know what’s going to happen until you get out on the pitch.”
Spared relegation following Murwillumbah’s decision to exit the league, Tweed have endured an off-season of upheaval, with coach Jason Buchanan and a host of players departing.
However, returning captain Michael Kolovos said new mentor Dean Milosevic was the ideal man to deliver success.
“More intensity, that’s what Deano loves to bring. Training has (more intensity) and at games as well so everyone is ready to go,” forward Kolovos, 29, said.
“(Premier League) is definitely a step up from first division. We have had a lot (of players) come out and quite a few come in.
“Deano has come in and we have got to learn a new way of playing. We have got to start all over again really but I’m positive about this year.”