“This is as big as it gets”
Runaway Bay A-Grade Coach Nick Gleeson says this weekend’s Rugby League Gold Coast grand finals at Cbus Super Stadium is going to be a spectacle across all grades, with players having the rare opportunity to run out on to the ground used by the Gold Coast Titans.
All four grades (under 18’s, under 20’s, reserve grade and A grade) will be on show, with a big crowd expected to support the teams on show.
Currumbin Eagles will feature in three of the four grand finals (under 18’s, under 20’s and reserve grade), with the Burleigh Bears to also appear in multiple games (under 18’s and A grade).
In the A-Grade final, it will be the defending champions (Burleigh) against the minor premiers (Runaway Bay), with Burleigh playing in their fifth grand final in six seasons.
Gleeson says he’s got a “group of mates” that have enjoyed playing footy together in 2020 and believes that has played a part in their success so far.
“There’s nobody bigger than the side.
“We’ve got a lot of high profile players but there is always someone that has done something a little bit better or has been somewhere else and they’re quite to put them in their place.
“There are no big heads in the side … this is easily the best group I’ve had.”
Burleigh’s A-Grade Coach Matthew Foster says Runaway Bay will provide a great test to his group as they look to defend last year’s title.
“We’re expecting a team who is undefeated all year to be coming out very confident and full of energy and physicality,” Foster said.
“I’m expecting a very confrontational game that is going to challenge us to the max.”
“From last year’s grand final, we’ve got eight players and the rest of the players that have come in are predominately under 20’s.
“We’ve got a little bit of experience from last year but we’re a very young team and the boys this year have enjoyed the football and done a lot of learning as they’ve gone so I’m hoping that learning will hold them in good stead for the big game on Saturday.
Both coaches agree that players from all grades will enjoy playing at Cbus Super Stadium and expect all clubs to benefit from the experience.
“Some blokes never get a chance to play here, I know as a player I’ve never had a go here,” Gleeson said.
“Not just for us but for all grades, the 18’s, the 20’s, the reggies, it’s something that will probably never come for most and this is as big as it gets.
“To be able to come out with your Club and your family this is something that they’ll cherish for some time.”
Event Schedule:
11:30am Gates Open
12:00pm Under 18’s (Currumbin v Burleigh)
1:30pm Under 20’s (Helensvale v Currumbin)
3:30pm Reserve Grade (Currumbin v Tugun)
5:30pm A Grade (Runaway Bay v Burleigh)
