All the major talking points following round 8 of Rugby League Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition

A tactical punt burnt multiple teams in round eight, while Burleigh pulled off one of the greatest 12-man displays ever. All the major talking points.

The moment Burleigh's Jake Gleeson was sent off in their round 8 RLGC match against Currumbin. The Bears would go on to score 52 unanswered points. Picture: BarTV Sports.

An unfathomable 66-point drubbing despite having a player sent off headlined a bizarre weekend of A-grade rugby league on the Gold Coast.

There were some whopping margins and one-sided affairs, while a first-gamer enjoyed a debut to remember.

Discover all the major talking points below, and catch up on last week’s here.

Man down!

You’ve never seen anything like it.

With a touch over 30 minutes played, Burleigh led Currumbin - who were top of the ladder - 18-4, and second-rower Jake Gleeson was sent off for throwing a punch. What happened next was simply mind-blowing.

A 12-man Burleigh went on to score 52 points without conceding a single one. It was an onslaught, and Currumbin capitulated.

The youth of the Eagles halves combination may have proved costly, as they failed to attack the Bears’ vulnerable right edge.

It’s also worth noting that Eagles coach Matt Geyer was away watching the Warriors v Storm NRL game in New Zealand as part of a past players catch up.

Bin short kick-offs

The lure of a short kick-off is sometimes too good to refuse - if it pays off, how good? - but it burnt multiple teams on the weekend, leaving them to attack from deep in their defensive half when they were already struggling.

Trailing by 30 or so points against a rampaging Burleigh, Currumbin was seduced into multiple short kick-offs, gifting the Bears an extra 30 or so metres of territory everytime it didn’t pay off and compounding the loss.
A similar temptation - and fate - befell Helensvale in its heavy 16-58 defeat at the hands of Tugun.

Jarrod Gill of Currumbin Eagles helps lay a tackle. Photo: Regi Varghese

Half centurions

It was a rough old day for Helensvale, who have now conceded 50 points both times it has faced Tugun this season.

Back in round four, the Seahawks ran away 54-18 winners before their 42-point triumph over the weekend.

The match was effectively over at half-time, with Tugun racing to a 40-6 lead at the break. The fast start was no doubt key to knocking over the Hornets so convincingly given the power of their forward pack. The Seahawks controlling the footy and barely letting Helensvale get their hands on it early.

Helensvale has been punished out wide on both occasions by Tugun, with their wingers getting pulled in too easily. The Hornets were also hampered by several late outs as a bout of the flu ripped through the group, and fullback Campbell Pirihi was unavailable for personal reasons.

Debutant double

18-year-old talent Bailey Simpson wasted no time finding his feet in his first A-grade outing for Tugun. He crossed the stripe for a pair of tries in the domination and looked at home on the wing in an error-free showing.

Seahawks front-rower Jack Glossop returned from Tweed Hostplus Cup duties for his first game of the season at RLGC level and also scored a double.

Tweed Mal Meninga Cup talent Junior Filimaua was also in action for Tugun. With Helensvale his former junior club, he was keen to make a statement and did so, defending aggressively and punching well above his weight.

Michael Schipp - who has bravely been playing through a broken wrist and knuckle - was also excellent for Tugun, scoring a try and assisting another. He may however finally be set for a spell on the sidelines to let his hand recover after copping another knock to it.

Tugun’s Jack Glossop in a contest for the ball. Photo: Regi Varghese

Southport snap hoodoo

After a testing three week stretch - one of the club’s worst losing streaks for several years, in fact - the Tigers have returned to the winner’s list.

Southport defeated Runaway Bay 44-12 to clinch its fourth win of the season, claiming fourth sport on the very compact ladder as a result.

The Tigers completion rate was particularly impressive - they completed at above 90 per cent in the first-half - and they did lots of the little things right.

It was a disappointing outing for Runaway Bay, who are struggling with their effort and to find some cohesion, with one frustrated coach lamenting that too many players are playing as individuals and leaving the hard work to others.

The Seagulls were also hampered by their discipline, often conceding penalties after they scored points which hampered any slither of moment they could grasp, while they were forced into a late reshuffle after lock Blake Campbell did his calf in the pre-game warm-up.