In a hunt for Tigers
THE Burleigh Bears have bad memories of the Easts Tigers.
Earlier this year, the Bears led the Tigers in the dying stages of their Intrust Super Cup clash only to be run down seconds from full-time.
They will get their chance for redemption at Langlands Park tomorrow and will go into the contest on a threegame winning streak.
Burleigh trumped Wynnum Manly with a last-minute field goal last weekend and while their confidence is growing, Bears coach Jim Lenihan isn’t getting too excited yet.
“One good game doesn’t make a season,” he said. “We’ve got to reset this week and prepare for a hard game.
“They’re always hard to beat at Langlands Park. We’ve certainly got our work cut out.
“They’re a quality side. No one really gives us any real chance of beating them other than ourselves.
“We’ve got to have the same mindset as last week and have a crack.” The Bears have been directed well by halfback Ryley Jacks in recent weeks but they could have a few team changes tomorrow. A virus has run through the Bears camp with Dimitri Pelo, Mitch Sharp, Jaiden Hawkes and Ayden Lee battling illness.
“There’s been a bad flu going around but it’s been a good week,” Lenihan said.
“It’s all about confidence. We’ve got to keep working hard and have a great mental approach.
“We’ve got to give ourselves every chance of having another good performance.”
Tweed Heads will be desperate to record a victory when they travel to Souths Logan for the televised match tomorrow.
The Seagulls will be without workhorse winger Kalifa Faifai Loa and prop Matt White, who both travelled with the Titans to Gosford.
Emerging Titans youngster Karl Lawton may see more game time at halfback and coach Aaron Zimmerle said he wanted to make sure the 19-year-old was ready to guide the team before thrusting him into the hot-seat.
“Karl can play in the halves but it’ll be about how comfortable he is in directing the team,” he said.
“He’s good enough individually but it’s about maintaining a little bit of continuity for the rest of the group.”
The Seagulls are sitting ninth and the match against the 12th-placed Magpies is a must-win if they are to push for a finals berth.
“Our efforts have always been good. Now we have to close out a couple of games,” Zimmerle said.