Even Lynch unsure if he’d return to the field
BURLEIGH Bears premiership winner Jeff Lynch had doubts whether he would return to the Intrust Super Cup during a 16-month period away from the state league.
Lynch finally made his comeback on Saturday against Norths at Pizzey Park – the same opposition and location from when he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Round 2 last year.
The hulking forward’s attempts to get minutes under his belt in the Bears’ Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade side were slowed by a dislocated finger and a meniscus tear before he was called up to provide valuable experience with several of the club’s ISC regulars sidelined.
Lynch played 38 minutes off the bench in their 28-24 loss to Norths.
“It has been a very long, windy road, ups and downs everywhere,” he said.
“It’s probably the longest rehab I have ever done but I was feeling good, feeling confident and absolutely stoked when Jimmy said he would put me into the team because I have envisaged that ever since I did my knee.
“There was obviously some times there where I didn’t think I would get back but it’s just unreal to be back playing with the boys again.”
Lynch is one of nine current Bears who featured in their 2016 grand final win over Redcliffe. Their knowledge of how to get the job done will be critical to recovering Burleigh’s momentum, given they have lost three of their past four games to lose the competition lead.
“We’re still very confident and the young guys pushing through deserve to be here,” Lynch said.
“It’s not like we don’t have the team to keep winning.”
Next up for Burleigh is a trip to Dolphin Stadium to play Redcliffe on Saturday.