Burleigh edgy over shutting off Perese power
BURLEIGH will be on high alert when a fired-up Redcliffe team and in-form cross-code talent Izaia Perese roll into Pizzey Park tomorrow.
The former Queensland Reds flyer joined the Brisbane Broncos feeder club in the offseason and has really begun to draw some attention of late. Across his past six starts, the 22-year-old has scored four tries and averaged 214 running metres a game.
Opposite Perese will be Jesse Arthars, who will play his first game since limping off at Titans training last month.
After scoring seven tries through his first seven Intrust Super Cup matches for the Bears, Arthars was promoted to make his NRL debut for the Titans.
He was banished to the ISC after signing with Brisbane for the next two years and now is tasked with helping the Bears push on for a top-two finish.
Burleigh coach Jimmy Lenihan said shutting down Perese won’t simply be a solo act.
“He’s certainly impressing at the moment,” Lenihan said.
“He has a big, heavy carry so I think it will be more than just Jesse having to defend him, our whole right edge will have to be aware of where he’s going.
“He sort of comes off his left foot a fair bit and comes infield looking for metres so he will certainly be a handful for us.”
Redcliffe started their title defence slowly but have won four of their past five to charge into the top eight.
Along with Arthars replacing Josh Berkers, Josh Rogers and Dylan Phythian are back from injury for Tanah Boyd (PCL) and Api Noema, respectively.