As the Gold Coast-Tweed Gen Z Employment Cup heads into Round 8, this week Southport will host the 2016 State A-grade Carnival which is sponsored by Biarritz Apartments. Due to this carnival, there will be no live stream this weekend and will return the following weekend, June 12.
Bilambil Jets v Currumbin Eagles
Round 8 will see the Jets take on the Eagles, in the first rematch of the 2016 season. Both coming out of a loss, this rematch could be close, as their last encounter was only separated by four points. The Jets are looking strong after a close match against the Ormeau Shearers last home game. Eager to secure their first win of the season, the Jets are gearing up to take on the Eagles with full force at home. Guttered by the result against the Burleigh Bears, the Eagles are gearing up for a tough match against the Jets. Coach James Griffiths said: “I am proud of the boy’s effort on the weekend, everyone did everything they could.” Hit by injury and out-played by a well-structured team, the Eagles have taken a great deal of experience from the match. Eagles players, Richie Holani, Jake Harlen and Brodie Jenkins will be ones to watch.
Tugun Seahawks v Burleigh Bears
The Seahawks and Bears will go head to head once again for a memorial match, honouring player Chris Kitching. It will be an emotional match for Tugun and Burleigh as Chris played for both sides. Coach Martin Griese says, “It will be an emotional match, however will give the boys some motivation to play their best”. The Seahawks main struggle this week was getting a team together as they encountered a couple of injuries - lead playmaker and captain Keanu Te Kiri, Levi Norton and Jabe Gamble all out for this week’s match. After a commanding 50-0 win over Ormeau, the Seahawks are looking positive with their completion rates and lead runners. Burleigh will need to look out for winger Adam Barns who scored four tries at the weekend. Focusing hard on completions, defence and collisions, Burleigh coach Matt Foster understands the match-up against the Seahawks will produce a really high standard of football. Foster says “we need to be physical these next couple of weeks as we have back-to-back matches with hard-hitting teams”. Player’s player Sam Grant stands out and will be a player to watch after scoring four tries last weekend.
Ormeau Shearers v Southport Tigers
The Tigers are on a high after taking down the undefeated Tweed Heads Seagulls last weekend. Co-coach Mick Esdale said, “We really focused on pushing the forwards and working on what we set out for the match”. This is definitely paying off, with the Tigers reassessing their season’s performance and setting season goals for the team. Standout players for Ormeau to watch are; Zoram Watene, Cameron Miller, Regan Muir-Ogle and Troy Leo. Sticking to their own game plan and maintaining their kicking game and strategy, Ormeau will need to brace for a tough match. Although the Tigers out-enthused Tweed, they know Ormeau are always strong and should not be underestimated. Struggling to secure points on the board against the physical Tugun Seahawks, the Shearers were training hard this week to be fit for the unpredictable Southport Tigers. As players return and leave due to injury, the Shearers are working hard to redevelop team unity and direction leading into this week’s home game clash.
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Runaway Bay Seagulls
As Tweed battle their first loss of the season, Runaway Bay are on a high leading into their rematch with the top of the ladder team. Although battling a couple of injuries through the likes of Steve Tolo and full back Steve Rooney, Runaway Bay are continually improving to compete with the top teams in the competition. Coach Clinton Toopi is happy the boys are striving to improve their performance and becoming stronger as a team. Toopi says, “Overall we are getting better and slowly developing our focus on playing for the full 80 minutes of football”. Standout players for Tweed to watch are; Doryann Hape-Apiata, Ian Fuaivaa, Ethan Gallop and Henry Chang-Ting. Out-enthused by the Southport Tigers, Tweed are working to regain focus heading into the physical contest against Runaway Bay. Although Tweed were victors in their last clash against Runaway Bay, coach Clint Barends says, “The boys really need to work on their ball control and completion rates”.
Round 8 Games
Sunday, June 5
Bilambil v Currumbin at Bilambil Sports Ground, 2pm
Tugun v Burleigh at Boyd Street, 2pm
Ormeau v Southport at Brien Harris Oval, 2pm
Tweed Heads v Runaway Bay at Piggabeen Oval, 3:45pm
