Bear in line for a start

Patience pays off for prop

Matthew Koellner’s journey from Rugby League Gold Coast stalwart to Queensland Cup enforcer has epitomised the importance of the local pathways, and now the towering prop is bracing to command a spot in the Burleigh line-up for the long haul.

The former Tugun Seahawks powerhouse is poised to take to Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday to take on Souths Logan, with the chance to earn a maiden start on the cards.

A recall to the NRL for Iszac Fa’asuamealui has opened the door for Koellner to force his way into coach Luke Burt’s run on side, having made a strong impression in his three stints off the bench this season.

Not since his debut in 2021 for Tweed has the 26-year-old had a chance to take on the state league, however back-toback tries in his first two outings in 2023 – averaging 99 running metres and 16 tackles a game in his trio of appearances – have underlined how far the reigning RLGC co-representative player of the year has come.

Burleigh assistant coach Michael Witt said ever since Koellner arrived at Pizzey Park, he had put himself on the cusp of a return to the Queensland Cup arena.

Now with the chance to fight for a place atop of the competition ladder as a curtain raiser for the Gold Coast Titans clash against South Sydney, the former veteran of 179 first-grade games believed the prop was positioned to announce himself as a long-term Cup force.

“(He) has been outstanding for us the last few weeks. He turned up at pre-season with the right work ethic and he worked really hard, asked a lot of questions and does whatever is asked of him,” Witt said.

“A few cards fell his way, he’s got an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands and delivered a couple of tries. He’ll be excited to play in the big show again.

“He’s a big body, but he works really hard and does all the little things in the game that we expect of our middles.

“He certainly can play a bit with the footy as well, so he offers a different shape for us.”

Burleigh will have plenty of holes to plug for the contest against the Magpies, with fullback Keano Kini also earning a Titans call up alongside Fa’asuamaleaui.

Five-eighth Tyrone Roberts remains sidelined with a torn pectoral, however Witt confirmed the 32-year-old was closing in on a comeback.

Roberts’ experience – having played nearly 200 first-grade games for Newcastle, Gold Coast, Warrington and Brisbane – looms as a key ingredient in the back end of the campaign to help deliver the Bears a title.

While Witt said he was tracking well for an imminent return, he would not be rushed.

“He’s going really well; he’s amping up his training at the moment, he’s getting really close,” Witt said.

“I’m excited to get a player of that calibre back shortly. He’s done everything in terms of his rehab and he’s chomping at the bit and won’t be far away.”