Rivalry on target with siblings set to face off
A BATTLE between Gold Coast Premier League brothers Dylan, Justin and Trent Barwick will form a fascinating subplot to tomorrow’s Round 1 encounter between Robina City and Surfers Paradise.
Three years after joining forces in the Gold Coast Knights’ run to the Premier League crown, the Barwick boys will square off for the first time at 3pm as Trent’s Rabbits host a Surfers side featuring Dylan and Justin.
Trent and Justin were members of the Robina outfit that sealed top-flight promotion with the Coast League One crown last year, while Dylan helped Apollo finish runners-up to Burleigh Heads for both Premier League trophies.
Justin’s exit is among a handful of changes at Robina, with Brandon Chin, Dean Wernerson, Curtis Stollery and Daniel Grzic brought in to cover the loss of Grant Wernerson, Aaron Bull and goalkeeper Winnie Tukariri.
But with Surfers recruiting Nerang quintet Koki Miyasaka, Ethan Towse, Brad Scott, Acim Tomic and Faider Royer, Rabbits coach Nathan Mulhearn said the pressure was on Apollo to claim silverware.
“Surfers are obviously the favourites. Koki and Teddy (Watson) will be a handful for everyone in the league,” he said. “We have assembled a very good squad. We won’t be at full strength Sunday … but we’ll still have a good side.
“We are still developing, but had a good win last week in the FFA Cup (4-1 over Buderim).”
With Dylan and Justin defenders and Trent an attacker, the siblings could be direct opponents if chosen.