Decimation for Dolphins

Exodus looms at Broadbeach but coach confident

BROADBEACH United coach Lee Vernon concedes his Premier League squad could be decimated next season but says the return of a number of injured stars will inject new blood into the title heavyweights.

Missing Harry McMaster, Georges Pentecost, Andy Robinson, Jason Hunter and Lewis Scally to season-ending knee injuries, the Dolphins showed remarkable resilience to finish runners up to Gold Coast Knights for this year’s premiership and championship.

The team will begin preseason training on January 3 and while he is unsure exactly who will be absent, Vernon is expecting to be without some of his biggest names.

Striker Luke Marsh, who finished with 15 goals in 2018, has already joined the Knights, while the Bulletin understands Connor Simpson is set to follow him to Carrara.

However, Vernon is confident comebacks for his five knee-injury victims will help fill the void.

“I’d say we will lose a few players to the state league (NPL) set up. We’re not used to using a lot of players but I’d say we’ll lose as many players as we’ve lost over the past five or six years this year,” Vernon, who has already lost veteran defender Luke Martinero to retirement, said.

“(It’s about) how we replace them. I haven’t gained anyone or had anyone come in yet but we’ll see what we get when training starts.

“There’s a couple of key positions we’ll be looking to fill. Every year we get a lot of people from overseas that are new to the Coast that want to come down for a run.

“We’ve got a few players coming back from long-term injuries this year as well. They’ll come back into the mix this season (next) year so they’re like new signings.”

The Dolphins will play their first trial on January 17, with the season proper kicking off on March 8. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

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