Young Eagles learn a lesson in leading
FOR the second consecutive week Currumbin coach Matt Geyer had to watch through gritted teeth as his side surrendered a halftime advantage.
Geyer’s young Eagles conceded 20 unanswered points in the second half, ultimately falling 26-12 to Tugun at Galleon Way on Saturday.
It followed Currumbin’s second-half capitulation to Southport in the opening round.
“We were leading at halftime and I said to the boys, ‘I can’t believe we’re leading’,” Geyer said of Saturday’s loss to Tugun.
“We’d dropped the ball four times coming out of our own half and gave away a dozen six-again calls.
“To be leading at halftime after all of that, I thought we were in good stead.
“We just had to come out after halftime and play basic footy … we didn’t.”
Brayden Evans’ penalty goal on the stroke of halftime lifted the Eagles to an 8-6 advantage.
But for 35 second-half minutes it was all one-way traffic, as Tugun piled on the next three tries to secure the two points in the Rugby League Gold Coast match.
“Both games feel like the one that got away,” Geyer said, referencing the 12-nil lead surrendered to Southport the previous week.
“We’ve just had periods in both games where we’ve conceded tries quickly.”
Geyer said his side lacked in senior experience, missing two seasoned starters in Glen Buttriss and Luke Jurd.
“That’s where our game management is expected to come from, so we missed them both obviously,” he said.
“I know Tugun had players out as well so that’s no excuse.
“I think I’m going to have to be patient … the excitement you get with a younger squad means you also have to deal with inconsistency. But I’m prepared for that.
“We just don’t have the combinations or experience yet to be able to say ‘all right, let’s bunker down and stop the bleeding’.
“I’m learning as well. I’ve only coached two A-grade games.”
Currumbin hits the road to face Helensvale next Sunday, while the Seahawks will welcome reigning premier Runaway Bay to Tugun on Saturday.