FLYING COPPER
FOUR-TRY HERO
BURLEIGH’S Jake Carl has continued the sensational start to his Queensland Cup career by scoring four tries in a shock 32-26 win over Sunshine Coast in St George.
The winger has made a habit of taking every opportunity that comes his way.
He last month scored a hat-trick on debut, after only being selected due to the late withdrawals of backs Henare Wells (hamstring) and Troy Leo (illness). His inclusion for the country week clash yesterday came as a result of an ankle injury to Daniel Vidot.
Despite his place down the pecking order, the police officer now has eight tries in four games at state league level.
Yesterday he found success with a long-range intercept try as well as being in the right place at the right time to capitalise on the lead-up work done by the likes of pivot Dallas Wells.
Bears coach Jimmy Lenihan praised Carl’s finishing ability.
“He certainly can score tries so he’s a good player for us,” he said.
Players were given the full country experience at Rowden Park in western Queensland where a concrete cricket pitch was covered by deep sand.
“A lot of those blokes who have played football all their lives, not many would have played on a field like that,” Lenihan said.
“I suppose it was just like running on the beach for that part, it was probably 100ml of sand.
“There was no worry about hitting the concrete but certainly you’re running on hard ground and then all of a sudden you are running on sand in the middle. It sort of slowed some things up but it’s all part of the experience.
“We have been very well received by the St George public and it’s been a really good event out here.”
Burleigh set up the win – over a side Lenihan described as the “premiership favourites” – with a strong first half before the Falcons charged home to breathe life into the contest.
He identified the direction and decision making of hooker Pat Politoni and halfback Jamal Fogarty plus the grunt of their middle forwards as key factors behind the result.