RLGC 2021: Currumbin Eagles skipper Jarrod Gill has premierships on his mind

Jarrod Gill will captain the club that has been his home for more than two decades this season, with eyes on an elusive premiership.

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JARROD Gill joined the Currumbin Eagles simply because “it was close to home”.

Two decades later, it is his home.

With dad Peter involved in coaching and administration and Jarrod installed as A-Grade captain, the Gill name has become synonymous with Currumbin and that proud legacy is set to continue in 2021.

Gill, 29, will captain the Eagles for the first time this season after coach Matt Geyer moved to quickly appoint the tireless front-rower his on-field leader.

“It’s a massive honour,” Gill said.

“I’ve played here my whole life and I never expected (to be named captain).

“Our family has been here since before I can remember. You walk through the club and know everyone. That’s how I got my first job, was through knowing someone at the club.

“It’s pretty much what I’ve always done; Tuesday and Thursday and weekends have always revolved around playing footy (at Currumbin).

“I just started playing there because it was close to home. Now I feel like it would be weird to play for another club.

“I’ve had a lot of mates who have left for other clubs, but if Currumbin ever folded I’d have to go to NSW – I couldn’t play for another (Gold Coast) team.”

For 22 years Gill has donned the Eagles’ red and white, never tasting premiership success – at any level – but always back on deck in late-November to prepare for the next season and the want of grand final glory.

Round 10 of the Rugby League Gold Coast match between Runaway Bay and Currumbin at Bycroft Oval. Currumbin's Jarrod Gill. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I’ve never won a comp in my life. That’s the main reason I’m still playing footy,” he said.

“Two or three years ago we got the minor premiership and then lost two finals in a row; the year after we lost the grand final.

“In U19s we lost the grand final, too. That’s it.

“It’s the main reason I keep playing. I want to win a comp before I retire.”

Under the guidance of Geyer, who joins the senior coachings ranks for the first time after stacks of success with the club’s juniors, the Eagles have all the tools to push for the Rugby League Gold Coast A-Grade crown this year according to Gill.

“He’s the best,” Gill said of the former Melbourne Storm NRL premiership-winning five-eight.

“Everyone (at Currumbin) wants to play for him. We’ve had so many numbers (at training) because everyone wants to play A-Grade under Matty Geyer.

“I definitely think we have the team to do it. It will be a younger team, but we’ll definitely give it a good crack – if not this year, then in the not-too-distant future.”

Glen Buttriss picks Currumbin as his Rugby League Gold Coast home

From March 3, 2021 – Callum Dick

FORMER Canberra Raiders rake Glen Buttriss has spurned interest from a number of Rugby League Gold Coast clubs to sign for the Currumbin Eagles ahead of the 2021 A-Grade season.

The 119-game NRL star, who moved to the Gold Coast in December last year, was courted for weeks by Eagles boss Matt Geyer before finally committing to Currumbin this week.

Buttriss, 35, joined the Eagles at training for the first time on Tuesday and is poised to play a key role in Geyer’s young side this season.

“We’re really excited to get Glen,” Geyer said.

“The way I coach I centralise a lot of my attack around the hooker, so (having Buttriss at the club) will be really effective for us.

“Everyone wanted him – he was being chased by four or five other clubs because he’s an ex-NRL footballer who, when he played in the NRL, was a very good footballer at that level.”

When Geyer learned Buttriss had made the Gold Coast his home, the Eagles boss sought opinion from his close circle of NRL connections and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Glen Buttriss playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup in 2015. Picture: John Appleyard

“I’ve had a lot of incidental references actually. Talking to mates, when they found out (Buttriss) was here they all said, ‘champion bloke, you have to get him, you have to get him’,” Geyer said.

“At training he went straight into that mentoring sort of role. He has a way about him; a calm and very humble way.

“To have someone of his ilk helping ushering in the next generation (at Currumbin) will be fantastic.”

Buttriss said the big selling point to him was the opportunity to work with the Eagles’ talented young group of players, while still playing a key role in a team that has finals aspirations.

“I liked what Matty told me about the club. There’s a lot of young guys there who maybe need a couple of older heads around the place … I think it will be a good environment there,” Buttriss said.

“He has a good young squad there. I’m looking forward to working with everyone at the club and helping out a few of the younger fellas while I’m there.”

Raiders’ Glen Buttriss during the game between the Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium in 2014. Picture Gregg Porteous

Buttriss last played competitive footy in 2019 for Belconnen Sharks in the Canberra Region Rugby League. He sat out 2020 after COVID-19 forced Belconnen to withdraw from the season.

“I’ve had 12 months off so the body is feeling pretty good,” he said.

“I’m keen to get another couple of years under my belt and see how we go.

“(Geyer) hasn’t mentioned to me what role I’ll play, but I’m open to playing wherever he needs me.

“The last couple of years I’ve been playing in the halves. I can play nine, in the halves or fill in at 13 – I’m open to whatever.”