Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain labels star playmaker the ‘buy of the season’ in Intrust Super Cup

A captain in the Intrust Super Cup believes his star playmaker is the ‘buy of the season’ in 2019 as his team continues to show they are legitimate premiership contenders.

Sam Scarlett in the Intrust Super Cup rugby game between Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Sunshine Coast Falcons. Picture: AAP image/Richard Walker

WYNNUM Manly Seagulls captain Mitch Cronin believes his star playmaker is “the buy of the season” in the Intrust Super Cup.

The change in fortunes for the Seagulls have coincided with the recruitment of former Brisbane Broncos squad member Sam Scarlett from Souths Logan to Kougari Oval as the experienced halfback has helped lead his team toward being legitimate premiership contenders.

Scarlett leads the competition in try assists with 23 for the season and Wynnum Manly coach Adam Brideson has continued to say the former Magpie brought the competitiveness and organisation that his team needed.

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Cronin, who leads several statistical categories himself including linebreak assists and dummy half runs, praised the impact Scarlett has had on the Seagulls.

“Sam’s been probably the buy of the year in my opinion,” he said.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls star playmaker Sam Scarlett. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Walker

“He’s had a massive influence on our results all year and has fitted in well with the boys. Wouldn’t shout if a shark bit him though.”

With the Seagulls to welcome to the PNG Hunters to the bayside on Sunday after a 34-18 victory over Souths Logan, Cronin also said his team had plenty of improvement left in them before the finals.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls skipper Mitchell Cronin. Picture: AAP Image/Renae Droop

“I think we’re travelling a long nicely, it’s probably the best position the club has been in for a number of years but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves because there’s still a lot of work to do leading into the finals,” he said.

“The areas we need to improve on are kind of hard to gauge at the moment because the last month we’ve had a fair few injuries and people playing out of position.

“We should have everyone back this week and next, then we’ll have a good indication where we’re at.”

“I think our best strength is that we have a well balanced side.”

The Seagulls will host the PNG Hunters at Kougari Oval from 2.05pm on Sunday.