Shallin simply stunning
SHALLIN Fuller has stamped himself as one of the premiere players on the Gold Coast with a stunning hat-trick in Burleigh’s 44-10 win over Helensvale at Pizzey Park on Sunday.
Fuller’s two tries to halftime sent the Bears into the break leading 12-6, after an entertaining back-and-forth between the two sides.
But when the Burleigh fiveeighth completed his hat-trick six minutes into the secondhalf, the flood gates opened for the hosts.
Taine Tuaupiki, Reece McKenzie-O’Brien and Ryan Wescombe all crossed in shortorder to blow the game wide open, as the Hornets – in their maiden A-Grade match – started to tire.
Helensvale had a glimmer of hope when Dru Hetet crossed with 15 minutes to play, but late tries to Allan Lockwood and Latrelle Howe sealed the deal for the hosts.
It wasn’t all good news for the Bears however, with skipper Reece Summer going down with a left ankle injury just before halftime and not returning.
“First of all, praise to Helensvale who really did bring everything and the kitchen sink at us,” Burleigh coach Matt Foster said post-match.
“Our completions in the first half were 10 of 17 and I think they were 16 of 16 with the ball. They really brought it to us and made us have to step up and fortunately we had the chance to do that in the second half.”
Foster said the Bears were out-enthused by their plucky visitors in the first 40 minutes but was pleased with the response after halftime.
“The only way to beat energy is with energy,” he said.
“We’re trying to drive a mentality of not having to score on every play. Be smart, let the ball do the work and our physicality to do a job on the opposition. In the second half we saw the fruits of that.
“When a team like Helensvale plays like they did, they come with answers defensively, so it’s about being patient and getting repeat sets and applying pressure that way.”
Fuller’s incredible performance had his coach asking the question of when not if he would get a chance at the next level.
“He’s a freak of a talent and a great bloke to have in your team because he can create something out of nothing in an
instant,” Foster said.
“He’s someone we really should be pushing to play at a higher level.”