PBC earn accolades but focus is on the decider

PALM Beach Currumbin’s dominance in 2019 has been recognised in the QAFL awards with the Lions having a near monopoly on the QAFL team of the year.

Six Lions featured in the side – defenders Dylan Troutman and Liam McNeven, midfielder Thomas Thynne, forwards Jason Burge and John Anthony while Jesse Derrick earnt a bench spot.

“It’s a great reward for effort and a few players were stiff to not make it but every club probably has a case for a few blokes,” Lions coach Jess Sinclair said ahead of the QAFL grand final against Surfers Paradise on Saturday.

“They’ve all had outstanding years but the focus now is to perform on Saturday.”

Star midfielder Thynne was further rewarded for his dominant season when he won the Syd Guildford Trophy for the league’s most valuable player – as voted by coaches – as well as finishing runner-up in the Grogan Medal.

“Accolades are nice but Tom wasn’t too fussed and he was happy to finish as high as he did,” Sinclair said. “He’s a super player. He’s one of our dominant on-ballers.

“He romped in the coaches award so it shows that opposition rate what he does for us on the field and I do too.”

Sinclair was also named the QAFL coach of the year in a season where he steered Palm Beach Currumbin to a grand final and a 15-1 win ledger.

“It’s nice to be recognised and I’ll look back on it,” he said.

“I’m very appreciative to be recognised but we’ve got to make sure we go through with it on Saturday and perform at our peak.”