Top billing takes toll on Tugun

TUGUN coach Clint Barends concedes the high expectations on his side may have had some part to play in their slow start to the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.

Along with Burleigh, the Seahawks were widely tipped as a premiership frontrunner following an excellent off-season of recruiting.

That has not translated to results, however, with their 40-18 loss to Southport on Sunday taking their record to 1-4.

“I think it might have a little bit to do with it, I’m not sure about all of it,” Barends said of the impact of those expectations.

“Maybe early on they thought it was going to be a little easier than what it was, I’m not sure.

“I thought we had turned the season around (after beating Bilambil in Round 5) but we had poor ball control again and Southport played really well.”

The Seahawks completed less than 50 per cent of their sets, an area they must lift dramatically ahead of their meeting with Ormeau this Sunday.