Hungry Bears driven to win
EXPECT more of the same from perennial premiership fancy Burleigh this season, so say two men who will have plenty of influence on the Bears’ fortunes.
Among Rugby League Gold Coast’s plethora of talented big men, Burleigh’s Lochlyn Sheldon and Reece Summer rate as the cream of the crop.
Sheldon, 21, had his breakout campaign in 2020 playing a full season for the first time since his A-grade debut in 2018.
In Burleigh’s run to last year’s decider Sheldon established himself as a brute of a back-rower – not afraid to take the tough carries and will his team over the line.
Sheldon says he just follows the example of inspirational Bears skipper Summer, who leads the team in the trenches.
“He’s the type of bloke to lead by example,” Sheldon said.
“He puts his body on the line every single week for the boys and is someone you want to take that next hit-up after, or take the next tackle with.
“You want to be on the field with him as much as you can, he’s just that type of bloke.”
Summer, 24, was handed the captaincy last year by coach Matt Foster and made it his own as the year progressed.
“I’m not a vocal kind of leader – I don’t talk about plays and that sort of stuff, I leave that to the halves,” Summer said.
“I try to lead more on the field with carries and enthusiasm.”
As the Bears’ incumbent lock forward, Summer’s hulking frame belies his ball playing ability – though his bread and butter will always be in the tackle.
“I can throw the ball around – some people might tell you otherwise though,” he joked.
“But my carries are what I like doing, well, I don’t like doing it, but it’s what I have to do.”
Burleigh’s culture is a “lead by example” philosophy and alongside Summer, Sheldon has quickly set the platform for a bright future.
“Lachie is a fantastic player. He’s one of the best second-rowers in the whole (Burleigh) squad, (Intrust Super) Cup included,” Summer said.
“He’ll play a lot of highlevel senior footy as he gets older – he’s ready now.
“He’ll do big things I believe.”
Burleigh’s state league team may be the toughest in the competition to crack, such is the depth at each position.
But the drive from each Bears A-grader to push for higher honours is what makes them such a great team, Sheldon says.
“I’m a big believer in culture inspiring players to be their best and when you love what you do and who you’re playing with it makes you hungry to get to that next level,” he said.
“Our whole team is hungry to take that next step – it will come for some faster than others and we know that.
“That means you have to be hungry all the time and ready to take your opportunity when you get it.”
A beaten grand finalist in 2020, Burleigh enters this campaign as favourite among the league’s brains trust to return to the top of the mountain.
With the same talented core that took them to the summit, and the addition of much-needed experience, Summer has faith the Bears can make amends.
“We have some older boys this year which I think will ground us a bit more – help us be a bit calmer,” he said.
“A few times last year we got a bit flustered during games which is probably why we lost a few.”
Sheldon says Burleigh’s young core, he and Summer included, will be better for the lessons of last year and a fruitful pre-season embedded in the Intrust Super Cup system.
“It’s been a long pre-season but we’ve progressively grown as a group … the boys are closer than ever now and we’re ready to lock-in,” he said.
As for favouritism, well, even at 21 Sheldon knows it means little.
“Speculation is speculation. If we win we’ll do it by focusing on ourselves.”