Burleigh Bombers and Coolangatta Blues lock horns for Paul Fowles Cup
A Burleigh Bombers legend is set to be honoured on Anzac Day when Burleigh and Coolangatta face-off for the Paul Fowles Cup. Check out the players to watch from both teams here.
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One of the most influential Gold Coast Australian rules figures will be honoured this Anzac Day in the latest iteration of the Paul Fowles Cup.
Fowles was pivotal to the growth of the sport in Queensland and the Gold Coast through his unrivalled generosity.
He was invited to perform the coin toss in the Gold Coast Suns’ inaugural AFL fixture against Carlton in 2011 and served as Burleigh Bombers president for eight years between 2005 and 2013.
He died in 2021, with his memory honoured by the Bombers each year at their first meeting with the Blues.
Coolangatta and Burleigh’s senior men’s sides face-off for the Fowles Cup on Friday and we have shone a light on the stars to watch from both teams in the clash which also doubles as a grand final rematch.
Burleigh Bombers
The Bombers have shown no sign of letting their grand final heartbreak define them this season with back-to-back wins over Tweed Coast and Beenleigh.
However, this weekend’s clash will prove to be a true litmus test for a side which has undergone a large turnover.
“We’ve had a really healthy rivalry and I think there’s a lot of respect from each football club to each other,” Bombers coach Andrew Hayes said.
“We’re not using last year’s grand final as any motivation but I’m sure some of the players will feel that and want to win the first game against them.”
Hayes highlighted Coolangatta captain Ned Lanyon as a danger man in the midfield and hopes his new-look midfield can limit his influence.
“We certainly want to be strong in the contest, we lost our midfield from last year and they were very strong in the contest and we’ve got quite a young group,” he said.
“Just trying to win footy is certainly going to be a priority but we’re hoping that we will have a bit of leg speed on the outside as well.
“It will come down to who’s willing to put their head over the footy and win the clearances.
“If we can at least get on level terms with Cooly on the clearances then we’d give ourselves every opportunity to win.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“We’ve got a new ruckman in Billy Bundle, so hoping he’ll have an impact,” Hayes said.
“Lachlan Davidson is also one of our ruckmen, if our big guys can get on top early their that’d be awesome.
“A couple of guys to keep an eye on will also be the Uwlands (Jarrah and Mali) and hopefully our back six can hold up really well, they were the best defenders last year so hopefully we can defend well.”
Coolangatta Blues
The QFA Division 2 South reigning premiers will look to send a statement of intent to the competition after it’s mixed start to the season.
The Blues won their season opener against Carrara but head into this weekend’s clash off the back of a 14-point defeat to Bond University.
Former Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns star Pearce Hanley has taken over the helm as head coach for 2025 after serving as assistant during the club’s run to the 2024 premiership.
The clash holds special significance to the club with the game falling on Anzac Day and Hanley said his club was honoured to play on the day.
“(We are) very excited, we’re putting a big emphasis on this week with our local RSL club, we’re joining their dinner and had one of the members come in and speak to the group and we’re going to the dawn service on Friday,” he said.
“It’s a big week for our football club, we’re very excited and honoured to be part of the cup in a Friday game on Anzac Day.
“It’s the first time we get to see (Burleigh) again after beating the in the grand final, it’s exciting.
“I’m sure they will be out to redeem themselves but we’re ready for the challenge.
“It’s always a big rivalry between us and Burleigh and they’re a great football club and it should be a fantastic game.”
Hanley said a win over quality opposition like the Bombers would galvanise the group moving forward after their shaky start and expects a hard-fought battle in the contest.
“I think the rain is coming on Thursday and it will lock in for Friday,” he said.
“I think the contest is going to be the biggest part, it’s not going to be pretty football given the conditions.
“So I think whoever can win the contested footy and stoppage battle in the middle and get the ball going forward will be the biggest indication on the day.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“Obviously Ned Lanyon our captain, he’s huge for us, he’s a massive integral part of our group,” Hanley said.
“Nick Denahy’s gonna be huge, Corey Joyce down back, you have Seamus Robinson, he kicked five in the grand final last year so we’re excited to have another big day out of him.”
“Then we have a couple of new players that have come in that are really excited, Hamish Gordon and Isaac Ruff in the midfield.”
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Originally published as Burleigh Bombers and Coolangatta Blues lock horns for Paul Fowles Cup
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