Intrust Super Cup: Burleigh Bears v Sunshine Coast Lightning

Burleigh are just 80 minutes away from making their first Intrust Super Cup grand final appearance since 2016 but first must face the daunting defence of the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Sunday.

Burleigh are just 80 minutes away from making their first Intrust Super Cup grand final appearance since 2016 but first must face the daunting defence of the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Sunday.

A refreshed Bears squad have enjoyed a week off following their nailbiting 34-32 qualifying final win over Wynnum-Manly in the first week of the playoffs earlier this month.

After the devastating loss of try-scoring machine Troy Leo to injury, along with several key forwards, Burleigh coach Jim Lenihan said he was grateful for the time off to give his players time to heal.

Sam Coster before training for Burleigh Bears. Picture: Glenn Hampson

It has also allowed for star winger and former Gold Coast Titan Tyrone Roberts-Davis to make his return from a groin injury for the club’s biggest game so far this year.

After finishing the season third on the premiership ladder, the Bears this weekend host a flying Falcons side.

Lenihan said the boost of Roberts-Davis along with Titans cult hero Anthony Don for this weekend’s game gave the side a much-needed confidence boost in their campaign for a grand final berth.

“Any player that comes into your squad with NRL experience certainly adds to these big-game occasions,” Lenihan said.

“I know it’s only the Intrust Super Cup to the greater world, but in our little world that we play football in, it’s a big thing to get to the preliminary final and have an opportunity to get to the grand final.

“To have blokes like Tyrone Robert-Davis or anyone with NRL experience is certainly a boost at this time.”

Despite planning to upset the Falcons premiership-winning hopes, Lenihan complimented their playing style this season.

Burleigh halfback Jamal Fogarty and Sunshine Coast No.7 Todd Murphy both led the competition in points scored and goals kicked however, Lenihan wasn’t expecting Sunday to be a points bonanza.

“The other side of it is, we’re the top two sides in defence,” he said.

“(The Falcons) set the record for the best defence at 12.6 points per game and we were 13.2.

“There’s no doubt their line speed and structure has been the backbone to their attack.

“They’ve certainly taken line speed and defence in our competition to another level.

“It has forced every other club in the competition to improve around that.”

The Burleigh blockbuster will be played at 3.05pm at Pizzey Park on Sunday while the Blackhawks will be looking to secure a grand final berth when they host Wynnum-Manly at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville.