Lionhearted PBC victory

Shaken players step up after defender knocked unconscious

PALM Beach Currumbin have overcome the loss of defender Callum McBurnie to a bad concussion and a late fightback from Western Magpies to win their 11th game of the season.

McBurnie was knocked unconscious in a marking contest in the third quarter in an incident that stopped the game for 28 minutes.

A delay of just two more minutes would have ended the game in Brisbane on Saturday. The Lions were up by 23 points at the end of the third but a 4.3 final term put them within four before Palm Beach Currumbin, who also lost small forward Brock Askey in the second quarter, sealed the win.

Palm Beach Currumbin coach Chad Owens said it was a brave display from his side.

“Callum spent the night in hospital and was released (on Sunday),” Owens said. “There was no significant damage.

“At first they thought it might have been his neck so they did a thorough check.

“Luckily for us the Western Magpies had a doctor and he was outstanding.

“It’s pretty emotional when you see your teammate in a bad way.

“He was playing well and he is a popular team member.”

Owens wrote one thing on the board pre-game: response.

It came after their first defeat of the season last weekend and the coach was pleased he got what he was after.

“We were better at winning the contested footy compared to the week before,” he said.

“We got manhandled and this week we were back to winning the contested ball.”

Broadbeach Cats coach Brett Andrews likened his side’s clash with Surfers Paradise to two heavyweight boxers trading blows.

The Cats won 7.11 (53) to 7.7 (49) at Sir Bruce Small Park in a physical and tight contest.

“It was like two heavyweights slugging it out and no one could land the big blow,” Andrews said.

“We just happened to be in front in the end.”