Shear talent boost in 2019
ORMEAU have landed the marquee signature of Jesse Malcolm in a major fillip to their hopes of a breakthrough Rugby League Gold Coast campaign next year.
After a disastrous 2017, the improved Shearers came close more than once to springing a surprise this year but they ultimately could not snap an A-grade losing streak that dates back to Round 14 of the 2016 season.
Nonetheless, coach Julius Kuresa is pushing on with building his squad, for which Malcolm’s arrival represents a huge step.
The 28-year-old forward was part of Runaway Bay’s premiership triumph in September and previously played for Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup.
Kuresa confirmed the signing and hinted Malcolm would be granted the chance to play the position of his choice.
“He’s a hardworking forward … he’ll be expected to play 80 minutes and use all of that experience and leadership to guide the team,” he said.
Kuresa added the club were in negotiations with other potential recruits and have also picked up players from regions including Coffs Harbour and Toowoomba.
“That’s been positive.
They’re in their late-20s so a bit of experience there,” he said.
“We’ve got still a good group from last year’s team that will be there to add to the recruits, so it’s looking pretty good.”
Ex-NRL player Vince Mellars will stick to his promise of being in for the long haul by returning to the field for Ormeau once he recovers from imminent knee surgery.
Kuresa revealed the club had introduced a different approach for the pre-season.
“We’re trying to build, like obviously the culture there is not one that we want to continue with so with the preseason we’ve invited our women’s team, our junior teams from under-16s up, so there is just a great feel,” he said.
Ormeau’s women’s side made the preliminary final in their first season of the SEQ division three competition.
“They were a great team off the field as well,” Kuresa said.
“They did everything that I guess we expect from our men’s. They cultivated a really positive culture within their team; that’s something that we want to use.”