‘Phins culture seen as winner
BROADBEACH United marksman Shaun Robinson says the Dolphins will lean on their winning culture for more Premier League success this season, with tonight’s crucial clash with Nerang the chance to kickstart their campaign.
Runners-up to Gold Coast Knights for last season’s premiership and championship, Broadbeach opened the new season with a surprise 2-2 draw against Tweed United before last week’s battle with fellow heavyweights Burleigh Heads was washed out.
The Dolphins have dominated the past 10 seasons, finishing top of the table four times and reaching nine grand finals.
But with an ageing side and key players Luke Martinero, Luke Marsh and Connor Simpson gone, concerns have been raised their demise is looming.
However, Robinson said the club’s culture of success would ensure another year of triumph.
“(The culture) is massive,” the 31-year-old, now in his fourth season at the club, said in the latest edition of the Bulletin’s Round Ball Round Up podcast.
“It’s such a close-knit group. Everyone goes out together, everyone has a drink together. It’s a really good culture so I can see why they’ve been so successful for so long.
“Even last year with Knights and their team and the cash that they had, we still wanted to win things and we did win the cup so that was good.
“I’ve won something every year I’ve been there – I think four trophies in three years – so it’s the same (aim) again.
“Whether we do it or not, who knows? But our target is definitely always to win the league and win whatever trophies are on offer.
“We lost a couple of players (this year) but we got a couple of players back from injury as well. We’ve got 16 real highquality players and anyone could come into the starting XI and do a job.”
Joint winner of the Premier League’s Player of the Year in 2018 after scoring 15 goals, Robinson said he was expecting a “really good battle” with a Dave Benigno-coached Nerang side tipped by many to mount a serious title tilt.
“Benigno’s obviously got the cash. He’s signed quite a few good players so they will be right up there challenging in the top spots for sure,” he said.
In Round 5 of the Brisbane Women’s Premier League, Southport host UQ at 5pm on Sunday, with Coomera to travel to North Brisbane at the same time.
Broadbeach hosted Robina City last night.