Broadbeach Cats coach warns rivals not to write off the club that has slumped to three straight defeats
WHAT’S happened to the Broadbeach Cats?
The once high-flying Cats sat on top of the QAFL ladder for the first half of the season, unbeaten and seemingly unstoppable as they chased a senior premiership.
Since then Broadbeach has slumped to three straight losses, dropping games to Redland-Victoria Point, Labrador and most recently Sherwood.
But Broadbeach senior coach Craig O’Brien said the club wasn’t panicking, putting the poor run of results down to a lack of top-line players after losing many to injury.
“We have had a bad month of battling injuries,” O’Brien said.
“We are starting to get some back now and will be back to full strength over the next two or three weeks.
“We have lost some really good players and falling a bit short.
“We have been competitive but had about eight of our best out which makes a huge difference.”
Among those who have been out injured, suspended or on AFL Academy duties are Harry Arnold, James Gledhill, Jack O’Shea, Brad Lowe, Bodhi Uwland, Sam Jasper, Jacob Welsh and Kai Sheers, Liam Nelson and Nicholas Burton.
“We have good depth but you can only call on them for so long. There is a big step up between senior footy and reserve grade,” O’Brien said.
“It’s OK when you have two or three out, but I don’t think you can bring a lot in.”
Broadbeach hold second on the QAFL ladder after 14 rounds, with Labrador on top with a record of 9-2 and one draw.
Surfers Paradise are hanging on to sixth spot while Palm Beach Currumbin are eighth on the ladder.
Broadbeach will play Wilston Grange on Saturday at Subaru Oval while Labrador and Surfers Paradise will meet at Cook Murphy Oval.
Palm Beach Currumbin will travel to Brisbane to play Sherwood Districts on the same day.