Seagulls eye off revenge in season opener against Burleigh Bears

The captain of last year’s Intrust Super Cup runners-up believes it will be hard not to think about the 2019 grand final loss when they open their season this weekend.

The Seagulls players look dejected after losing the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final match between the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Burleigh Bears. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

WYNNUM Manly Seagulls skipper Mitch Cronin admits it will be tough not to think about last year’s Intrust Super Cup grand final loss when they open their season against the team that beat them for the premiership this weekend.

The Seagulls will clash with defending premiers, the Burleigh Bears, at Pizzey Park on Sunday as the two teams renew a rivalry, which reached fever pitch in the 2019 season decider.

But with both teams having made some changes to their roster with Wynnum Manly adding former NRL players Lachlan Maranta and Lloyd Perrett, Cronin said they were ready for the challenge of facing such a tough team in the opening round.

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“I think it (last year’s grand final loss) does come into the mind a bit, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,” he said.

Burleigh Bears players celebrate winning the 2019 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final clash against. Picture: SMPIMAGES.COM/NewsCorp

“But it’s a new season all teams start again, so in terms of our season we want to just start it off well with a win and build some confidence.

“Everyone’s really excited for some footy again, the preseason has been a step better from last year which is a good sign.

“Having so many players return from last season I think has really helped our preseason, we were able to pick up where we left off.”

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Wynnum Manly coach Adam Brideson said they were happy to get through the trial matches injury free to be ready for Sunday’s big match up.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain Mitch Cronin. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“Obviously this week’s game is one we are really excited about,” he said.

“Burleigh are a really good club with a really experienced coach so they will be well prepared and it will be a great challenge for us.”

The Seagulls were disappointed to lose Brisbane Broncos forward Keenan Palasia to a knee injury in November but overall one of the league’s best dummy halves believes the Wynnum Manly roster was stronger than in 2019.

“Loyd Perrett was a really good signing, he’s a good leader with a lot of experience as well as Lachlan Maranta,” Cronin said.

“All the additions to the squad have added something different that we didn’t have last year.

“Losing Keenan before the season started was a pretty big loss but we also have some good young kids coming through.

“I think overall our best one to 17 will be stronger than our team that played in the grand final last season.”

Kick-off is at 12.10pm on Sunday with the game also televised.