SILKY SEARL NOT DONE YET
Back-to-back on Broadbeach agenda writes
IT’S NOT often a premiershipwinning captain, reigning team of the season defender and club great is not the man calling the shots.
But when the bloke lining up on the opposite flank is a 262-game former AFL star, ego quickly goes out the window. As one of the best and most experienced defenders in the league, much-loved Broadbeach skipper Josh Searl has the respect of the QAFL community and especially those at the Cattery.
But he is happy to concede the defensive general role to incoming exGold Coast AFL star Jarrod Harbrow if it means getting to play alongside the Suns’ club legend.
“I think if he says something I’ll be listening – I think he has a few more credits in the bank (than I do),” laughed Searl.
“It’s been pretty good having him next to us (down back) that’s for sure. He’s been awesome, he’s hardly missed a training session. He doesn’t say a lot but when he does everyone certainly listens.” There were questions as to whether the Searl would call time on his career after finally getting his maiden senior flag with Broadbeach last season. But the running defender said retirement was never a consideration, especially after tasting premiership success.
The Cats are again one of the major flag fancies in 2022 having retained the bulk of their premiership roster, with the retirement of Tyrone Armitage perhaps the only major out.
One major inclusion is ex-western Bulldogs defender Brad Lynch who played VFL at Southport last season and is expected to play a rebounding defensive role and run through the midfield for Broadbeach.
But footy is all about kicking goals and the Cats return two of the QAFL’S most dominant forwards in reigning Grogan Medallist Jordan Moncrieff and his new-found partner in crime, Brad Lowe.
Lowe’s late-season return from a knee injury powered Broadbeach’s finals campaign and his clutch goals in the grand final win over Maroochydore cemented just how crucial he is to the team’s make-up.
From midfield bull to forward 50 match-up headache, Lowe looms as a difference maker for the Cats as teams blueprint to stop the dominance of Moncrieff.
“(Lowe) is a really hard match-up because he’s probably too quick for the bigger guys but for the smaller guys, he’s too big,” Searl said.
“Obviously playing down back I match up on him at training and let me tell you, it’s not fun.”
Broadbeach will continue its blueprint of blooding up and coming young talent into the senior side this season – the same approach that netted the club its first flag in 25 years last season.
With its core group retained and that elusive premiership secured, the Cats again loom as a major title threat in 2022.