Lowly Lions have own motivation for upset

PALM Beach Currumbin player-coach Ryan Kettle insists the Lions won’t be out to spoil Broadbeach Robina’s minor premiership quest when they meet at Salk Oval today but says victory may be a building block in a 2020-21 revival.

Sitting ninth on the KookaREPRESENTATIVE burra Cup ladder, the Lions will enter their final-round encounter with the Cats with no chance of securing a semi-final appearance for the first time since 2012-13.

Despite a horror 166-run loss to Mudgeeraba Nerang in last weekend’s top-of-the-table battle, Broadbeach will wrap up top spot with a win in the two-day clash with Palm Beach, while defeat opens the door for the Bushmen.

But having tasted victory just four times in 15 games this campaign, Kettle said his side’s focus was simply on laying the foundations for next season.

“I don’t think it’s any secret it’s been a pretty disappointing season for us. We expected a little bit more from ourselves so we’re going into this looking to have a good game,” Kettle said. “We’re not really playing the game to try and upset anyone else’s season. Broadbeach have been really good this year so if they beat us they deserve to be top.

“Obviously we’re going to be trying to win the game but also trying to prove to ourselves we’re not as bad as our results have been this season. If we go well it’s something to look at next season when we regroup.”

In the game of the round, Mudgeeraba will host fourthplaced Surfers Paradise as both teams tune up for finals on March 21-22.