COACH COUNTS ON YOUTH TO REBUILD SHEARERS
NEW Ormeau coach Peri Creamer remains unfazed by the challenge awaiting the Shearers in Rugby League Gold Coast’s looming A grade season, insisting his 2020 rebuild will reap longterm rewards.
Wooden-spooners last season, the Shearers are in the midst of a major squad overhaul and will invest heavily in youth when the season kicks off in April.
Captain and lock Parahi Wilson (Mudgeeraba) is among a number of players to join 2019 coach Julius Keresa out the door, with Creamer bringing in hookers AJ Ma Chong and Vito SulaSiaosi, as well as utility Lazeryth Sua.
Vito Sula-Siaosi, 21, was a Queensland under-16 representative before spending time in the youth systems at the Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors. Sua, 20, was also at the Titans and South Sydney, while Ma Chong, 25, has played for the Queensland Cook Islands and Samoa Maori sides.
While a number of other players remain on the club’s radar, Creamer said the trio would be key figures in a new-look Ormeau outfit.
“I would say my squad will be quite young, which doesn’t bother me. That’s what’s going to help build a solid side,” Creamer, who has coached at various levels across southeast Queensland, said.
“We did a little bit (of training) before Christmas but with new coaching staff this year it was about us putting ourselves out there. The commitment and enthusiasm is really good at training. Numbers are improving and there’s a lot of new players. Everyone is feeling good.
“We’ve got a couple of key signings – they’re quality players – and I’ve used the contacts (I have) and knowledge within southeast Queensland. I’m looking at the under-20s too, they’re getting some good numbers, which will help the club eventually.
“It’s definitely rebuilding for Ormeau but it’s not something you want to do every year.”