Tough choices for Bears
BURLEIGH coach Jimmy Lenihan is facing the ultimate dilemma: Form or loyalty.
Round 1 spots are on the line as the Bears continue their Queensland Cup preparations with a trial against derby rivals Tweed Heads tonight at Firth Park in Mudgeeraba.
Competition is particularly rampant in the Bears’ halves and outside backs, where one head-scratcher is shaping up.
While premiership-winning centre Connor Broadhurst has been sidelined with a preseason knee injury, ex-Southport Tigers flyer Troy Leo has capitalised on his chances to be seriously turning heads.
Leo is expected to start in the centres alongside star incumbent Sami Sauiluma tonight in another major opportunity to earn a Queensland Cup debut.
Lenihan admitted such scenarios would make for tough selection debates leading into their season opener at Redcliffe on March 5.
“It’s a bit of a balancing act,” he said. “The easy thing is to put Connor straight back in for sure and if he is fine by that time, he has obviously been a great player for us last year and he’s a Queensland Cup player every day of the week.
“But you also want to make sure that there’s always an opportunity for blokes, that if they’re playing well, to force their way into the side as well.
“It’s a tough one. I’m not sure if Connor is going to be fit for the last trial game (next weekend) or not, to sort of post his claim for that first week.”
Leo has made an impression with his speed that has the potential to make him an X-factor for the Bears.
“He scored a try last week in our trial that probably most blokes couldn’t score just because he had a bit of sheer pace off the mark,” Lenihan said.
Come Round 1, Kurtis Rowe should hold his fullback jersey with Henare Wells, Olly Regan and Waka Wanahi jostling for wing spots and Tyler Cornish, Harry Siejka and Dan Schwass the leading halves contenders.
Even with a 7pm kick-off, the game’s two 40-minute terms will each involve a drinks break halfway through.
Seagulls chief executive Scott Clark said precautions such as wet towels and ice packs will be in use.
Clark nominated Titans under-20s graduate Brayden McGrady as one to watch as he pushes for a permanent spot in Tweed’s backline.
The first of four fixtures will be a Burleigh intra-club Mal Meninga Cup trial at 2.30pm.