Putting all into ladder surge

JESSE Malcolm is using every ounce of experience from back-to-back premiership campaigns as he looks to lead Ormeau off the bottom of the Rugby League Gold Coast ladder in 2019.

The 29-year-old featured in Runaway Bay’s grand finalwinning side last year and got his hands on the A-grade title the year before at Burleigh.

Now he has a completely different challenge ahead of him: Rebuilding a side that has been trapped at the other end of the standings for the past two seasons.

The Shearers announced Malcolm, who is expected to play second-row, as a marquee signing before Christmas and have entrusted him with the captaincy.

“This is different challenge for me up at Ormeau but I’m loving it,” he said. “I get to play with all of my friends and as soon as I knew I was going to Ormeau, I dragged a few of my friends along. The culture is really good there.

“I think we’ll be able to compete this year well.”

Malcolm is not looking too far ahead though, with the first step simply to chalk up an elusive win.

“It’s always the dream to get to the top again so that will always be the goal but it’s obviously

about ticking off those little goals first,” he said.

Their first test will come tomorrow afternoon against his ex-teammates at Runaway Bay.

“We thought that was a bit of a stitch up because last year we came last and they came first but I’ll take the challenge,” he laughed.

“I know how good they are and I know the players that they have recruited so I’m just really looking forward to seeing how we match up against the best.”

Ormeau coach Julius Kuresa revealed the club had lost 70 per cent of their 2018 roster but their pack has been boosted by Malcolm, Kingi Akauola, Anthony Gray and former Titans under-20 captain Parahi Wilson, who is sidelined for six weeks with a foot injury.

“It has been a lot of hard work but the recruitment charge has always been about targeting players that can attract players and that has worked out really well for us,” Kuresa said.