All the major talking points following round 9 of Rugby League Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition

A brutal honesty session worked wonders, while two former Titans captains laced on their boots for different clubs, and the unluckiest player was uncovered. Major RLGC talking points.

Kevin Proctor in action for Currumbin against Runaway Bay, he was one of two former Titans captains to make his 2024 RLGC debut this weekend. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Rugby League Gold Coast ‘s unluckiest play may have been unveiled in round nine as he sustained broken hand - in his return game from breaking the other hand.

While a midweek honesty session sparked an inspired performance, and two former Titans captains laced on the boots for different sides for their first RLGC games of the season.

Discover all the major round nine talking points below.

Honesty session works wonders

Hard conversations were needed at Runaway Bay.

They were had, and they delivered results. It came in the form of an honesty session at Tuesday night training after the Seagulls lacklustre round eight showing against Southport resulted in a 22-point loss, with an eternal belief held that the effort and commitment of a number players has been sub-par. It was a line in the sand match and players had been told to ‘shape up or ship out’.

They responded to the tough love to down Currumbin 28-10 despite a hostile Eagles crowd. It was an impressive result considering the pre-game and in-game injuries and unavailabilities Runaway Bay had to navigate. Playmaker Kurtis Rowe and forward Codey McLaughlin led the charge for the Seagulls.

Proctor’s debut

Still feeling the effects of last week’s shock 66-point thrashing against a 12-man Burleigh, not even the debut of former Titans captain Kevin Proctor could lift the Eagles to victory.

Former Titans Mitchell Rein and Jarrod Wallace were among those in attendance to support their mate, but it wasn’t to be for Currumbin. Coach Matt Geyer was again absent on game day, this time away in Townsville with Confraternity Shield coaching commitments.

See all our snaps from the clash here.

Former Titans Skipper Kevin Proctor in his A-Grade Currumbin debut vs. Runaway Bay.Picture: Glenn Campbell

Can’t catch a break

You have to feel for Currumbin’s Jakob Schimke.

After a year off footy in 2023 to focus on his career as a builder, the smaller-framed trooper put on six or so kilograms and was back with a vengeance, but his comeback season has been marred by a horror run of hand injuries.

He had been absent since round one after breaking his hand, and his second game of the season over the weekend was marred by another hand injury. Shockingly, he broke the other one. It’s worth noting on both occasions he played out the match without complaints.

Currumbin are hopeful he can return before finals, but Schimke believes it’s season over for him.

Give ‘em the Bird

Having stepped back from playing-coach to coach, former Titans captain Greg Bird laced on the boots again for Southport, with the club hit hard by injury and suspension. It was Bird’s first match since injuring his Achilles, and - aside from giving away one intercept - he didn’t miss a beat, with his timing on-point. He’s expected to return to the coaches box for the remainder of the season, but don’t rule out the prospect of him getting the itch back.

Southport cruised to a 34-point victory over Helensvale at home for their second win on the trot. It’s a pleasant turnaround at Owen Park after they had suffered a three-match losing streak. The Tigers dominated the Hornets in the middle.

Greg Bird in the thick of the action for Southport. Picture by Richard Gosling

Triple treat

Shout out to Southport’s Caleb Carlson, who not only backed up to pull off the reserves-seniors double effort, but threw in a game of under-20s prior for good measure.

Talk about earning your debut. He followed in the footsteps of Tigers president Scott Mulligan, who was the club’s first player to play under-20s, reserves, and seniors in a day.

Isaiah Latu running with the footy. Picture by Richard Gosling.

Latu’s untimely blow

Burleigh lock Isaiah Latu broke his arm in the Bears’ 18-18 drawn match with Tugun. It’s a very untimely injury for Latu who had been set to represent the Vikings representative side in the upcoming Chairman’s Challenge, but will now be ruled out.

It was a cracking encounter that saw Tugun play a physical match and defend a Bears outfit that had plenty of territory gallantly.

Bolstered by an influx of Mal Meninga Cup under-19 players, a youthful Burleigh side has shot to the top of the ladder and appears to be the team to beat.