RLGC Transfer Centre: Queensland rugby league and Burleigh Bears champion Kurtis Rowe joins Runaway Bay
The curtain has been drawn on one of Queensland rugby league's most glittering careers, but the man himself is not done yet. And he will be joined by two more men eager to chase premiership glory. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH GOLD COAST’S OFF SEASON MOVES HERE >>
Kurtis Rowe may have drawn the curtain on his illustrious Queensland Cup career, but the Burleigh legend is not ready to hang up the boots entirely.
The Bears’ all-time leading try scorer will swap the maroon and white for the Runaway Bay blue, adding a new layer of potency to coach Nick Gleeson’s backline.
Rowe will be joined by former Ormeau Shearers prop James Tutuila and two-time Newcastle Knight Siuatonga Likiliki in the Seagulls bid for the 2023 Rugby League Gold Coast title, adding plenty of experience to a squad largely consisting of club juniors.
Despite the star fullback’s credentials — going on to score a Bears record 70 tries in 111 QCup appearances, along with eight NRL caps for the Wests Tigers as James Tedesco’s injury replacement — Gleeson confirmed the 29-year-old would line up in the centres.
Kurtis Rowe has called time on his days in the Queensland Cup, and will link up with Runaway Bay. Pics Adam Head
The returning Jack Mackin would instead don the number one jumper and the premiership-winning mentor said the pair had a “mutual respect for each other” and appreciated they were “as good as each other”.
“He messaged and said ‘hey I’m going to go on a limb here and was wondering if you’d be interested in having me at the club?’” Gleeson said.
“Usually most blokes call and ask for x-amount of dollars but he trained for two weeks before signing a contract.
“I was open with him when I spoke to him and he said he’s happy to play anywhere in the backline, he filled in at hooker the other night so he’s a footballer and he’ll be fine.
“Just the experience (he brings), I think in the past couple of seasons when we lost Jack Mackin a couple of years ago and the retirement of Jimmy Poland we had a really young backline last year.
“Having the likes of Kurtis Rowe and Jack Mackin comer back into our backline it means we have a bit more experience there.”
Rowe’s QCup retirement ends a glittering career which will go down in Burleigh folklore.
While a key figure in the Bears charge to the 2016 and 2019 trophies, the emergence of Taine Tuaupiki last year limited him to just one game off the bench, with teenage sensation Keano Kini now taking up the custodian role.
Round 17 Intrust Super Cup match between Tweed and Burleigh at Piggabeen Sports Complex. Burleigh Player No1 Kurtis Rowe Tweed Player No .Pic Mike Batterham
He instead plied his trade in the club’s A-grade side, spearheading them to the minor premiership before being named captain for the grand final defeat to Southport.
Yet according to Burleigh coach Luke Burt, all Rowe needed was “a lucky break” to go on and take to the NRL stage far more than what he did.
“He’s an absolute club legend, when he came to the club he was part of those boys that turned the club around and won a premiership,” Burt said.
“You talk to those boys who played in those premierships and they always said Kurtis Rowe come semi-final time there wasn’t a better player on the field.
“He was a big game player who knew what he needed to do on the big days. He’s a club legend at Burleigh and I think the Burleigh club was very lucky to have him.”
Tugun Seahawks; Son of a legend, junior Titans offset shock exodus
The Tugun Seahawks have sought to cover a player exodus for the 2023 season, securing the services of the Rugby League Gold Coast’s leading point scorer of last season.
Following the club’s preliminary finals exit in 2022, coach Clint Barends’ side lost co-representative players of the year Zac Beecher and Matthew Koellner, halfback Michael Burgess, centre Tim Cassidy and ‘Mr Fix It’ Juwaan Terekia.
Both Beecher and Cassidy have relocated to Ballina, while Koellner has earned a Queensland Cup chance at the Burleigh Bears.
Burgess has meanwhile shunned thoughts of retirement to return to his junior club Currumbin, and Terekia has thrown his focus into an MMA career.
Zac Beecher will leave a huge hole in the Seahawks line up.
However Barends confirmed a pair of former Ormeau Shearers would join the blue army in Jack Rogers and Jack Jeffress, as well as past junior Gold Coast Titans Caleb Hodges and Solomon Torrens.
Rogers was a shining light for the Shearers in 2022, finishing the season with 10 tries (equal fourth in the competition) and 155 points (top of the competition).
While the son of former dual-code international Mat Rogers plied his trade in the halves in 2022, Barends said he was yet to confirm where the playmaker would line up.
“He’s a terrific runner of the footy, so for us it’s more like just hopefully giving him some opportunity to do what he does best,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of pressure on him even though he’s a quality player, it’s can you fit in with what we’re after and the culture of our joint?
“We’re thrown up where we’re going to play him, he’s been in the halves but he was originally a fullback … so we’ve got the next five weeks to see where he’ll fit best.”
Despite the incoming brigade, Barends admitted the Seahawks would face a steep climb to truly replace his outgoing stars. Beecher in particular will prove to be big shoes to fill, having garnered Gold Coast Vikings selection in his first season at fullback.
Meanwhile Koellner established himself as one of the region’s leading props; his top heavy frame enabling him to find his front and get a quick play the ball with ease.
Matthew Koellner is set to fight his way into the Bears QCup side after dominating for Tugun.
His pursuit of a Queensland Cup comeback with the Bears — having made his one and only appearance for Tweed back in 2021 — could be bolstered by the loss of Burleigh’s reigning rookie of the year Tristan Powell (Melbourne Storm) and club stalwart Blake Leary (retirement).
And Barends backed his former key forward to earn a shot and never let it go.
“That’s good for Matty, he’s a good player and bloke so we wish him the best,” he said.
“For him he’s gone to play Cup so he’ll put all his efforts there so that’s what he needs to do.
“My personal opinion is he’ll get there. It’s hard, especially at Burleigh with such great players and depth, but he’s the type of bloke who if he gets an opportunity he’ll take it with both hands.”
Currumbin Eagles; Champion junior returns home, 'lump of a lad' makes shock defection
Currumbin Eagles coach Matt Geyer has secured one of the most crucial signings of his tenure, tempting Michael Burgess away from retirement to pilot a 2023 finals charge.
Burgess has been a mainstay of the Rugby League Gold Coast scene for more than a decade, having shone in the Queensland Cup for Tweed before finding a new home at Tugun.
The halfback guided the Seahawks to last year’s preliminary final and finished the 2022 campaign as the competition’s second leading point scorer (150).
However according to Geyer, Burgess had originally planned to draw the curtain on his playing days, having recently become a father and about to move on to the next phase of his life.
But the Melbourne Storm legend said his pitch to the Currumbin junior was to inspire the young talent within the Eagles’ ranks, citing that the club “needed a player like him”.
Michael Burgess.
He said after his young outfit came close at various stages to taking down competition heavyweights such as Burleigh and Southport only to lose their way at the death, the experience and composure of Burgess could prove the missing link.
“I’ve never really targeted anyone from another club, I don’t like to recruit from A-grade. We don’t want to be stealing players, so we try attract players from outside our district,” Geyer said.
“But with Burgo … I heard he’d retired and I thought he’d just had a kid and was getting on with that part of his life. I’ve been in the senior club ranks for eight years and I’ve always been investing in the culture of the club; he’s going to expedite that process.
“I didn’t want to grab someone who I thought was past it just for the sake of reminiscing. I wanted someone to lead our team and that’s what he’ll do.
“I know he’s not going to have five years with us, but the fact he can be there and we’ve got a few good halves coming through. I certainly won’t be putting him in retirement, but once he goes we need to work out who’s next and I’m hoping he brings that to the club.
“He can infect the future with some of his talents.”
Geyer is set to field a similar side to his 2022 unit, with youngsters such as Noah Croudace, Tyler Creecy and Geyer’s son Nash expected to continue their senior football development.
However his forward pack will be bolstered further upon announcing Helensvale product Brayden Young will join his red brigade.
The Hornets middle man has been partaking in a train and trial period with the Tweed Seagulls, having shone in clubland despite his team registering just one win for the year.
Brayden Young (centre) will join the Eagles in 2023.
“Brayden rang me and had a good chat; he told me his ideas and I said if you’re looking for a change we’d love to have you,” Geyer said.
“I’m not going to turn people away that’s for sure, but he’ll be good and will add a bit of starch to our middle.
“He’s an impressive footballer. He’s a big lump of a lad … but the fact I met him and I got a read on him made it even better.
“He’s only young, like 23, and a good footballer. He led Helensvale admirably last year; they were in a tough place but he was playing 80 minutes and creating and playing tough footy.
“I’m hoping the change will be great for him.”
Helensvale Hornets; Huge triple coup to spearhead regeneration
A lifelong dream to take the field alongside his brothers was enough to entice Trinity Melrose across the ditch and to Helensvale.
The speedy outside back will link up with older siblings Jay and Brogan, who have traded the Mudgeeraba Redbacks black and red jersey for the green of the Hornets.
Having plied his trade in New Zealand, Trinity will add an x-factor dynamic to coach Paul Bergman’s Rugby League Gold Coast side in 2023, with his brothers to strengthen a spine which often lacked direction this year.
Helensvale president Wayne Court said it was a chance encounter with Jay (five eighth) and Brogan (fullback and centre) which kickstarted their signings, and now they were set to join a playmaking quartet featuring fledgling talents Campbell Pirihi and Bailey Court.
Jay Melrose
“I bumped into Brogan and had a bit of a chat, and they seemed interested to look for a bit of a change. He (Trinity) has literally just moved over to be with his brothers and they’re pretty excited,” Court said.
“He’s a good little player, he goes real good — lots of speed and good footwork. I know what his brothers are like, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and he’ll be keen to play alongside those boys for the first time.
"They’re a good fit; they’re experienced and we’re still a young side too. Our average bloke is 22 to 24, so having a couple of older heads who come from a bit of experience and success they’ll add a bit to us as well.
“Especially around the six area, the last two years we’ve had one of the PNG blokes in that position each time and around that. We were looking at going one spot in the side where we needed to look to fill, so it’s the perfect fit for us.
“If you’ve got them all on one side they’ll spark up for sure.”
While the Hornets are hopeful of blooding as many club juniors into the senior ranks as possible, Court said the club saw the need to strengthen their experience in key positions.
Having only been in the competition for the past two years, finishing with the wooden spoon in 2022, the hunt was on to inject some fresh blood to put in and around the promising products already within their ranks.
Initial discussions have begun with some Papua New Guinea players who were based in the region while the Hunters relocated for the Queensland Cup.
However of those who have bled Helensvale since the side’s inception, Court hopes Pirihi and his son, Bailey, will be ready to assume greater leadership responsibilities.
Bailey Court.
The pair were both training in the pre-season with the Tweed Seagulls, but Court revealed Pirihi had reluctantly withdrawn having just had his first child.
As for Bailey, Court said the crafty hooker still harboured ambitions to play in the QCup, and 2023 could be the year he uses his pre-season experience as a launch pad to higher honours.
“He’d sill like to, obviously he’ll be registered with us as well but still has aspirations to play Cup,” Court said.
“He’s been at a couple of places but he’s been stuck (Burleigh and Easts) … but he’s busting his guts.
“First and foremost I’m about looking after the juniors from our club; the guys coming through. But being realists we’re only young into the A-grade scene so we need a couple of extra older boys to help out.
“If we bring up five good strong blokes that have A-grade experience into our side, with our young blokes and juniors we’ll be in good shape.”
An anticipated comeback for a club champion is set to offset the loss of a key man in Runaway Bay’s push to return to Rugby League Gold Coast glory.
On the back of a campaign in which Seagulls coach Nick Gleeson admitted he “felt like a reserve grade coach in my own club”, premiership-winning fullback John Mackin is at last expected to rejoin the fold full-time.
A constant flow of players earning Queensland Cup call ups this year — including Tyler Han, Flynn Groth, Terry Wapi and Doryaan Hape Apiata — as well as a plethora of injuries forced Gleeson to use more than 40 players in 2022.
It led to a season in which he felt they failed to meet their own expectations, struggling for consistency as they bowed out of the finals in straight sets.
But Gleeson declared it was no coincidence that their finest patch of football came with Mackin wearing the number one jumper.
17th October 2020, Runaway Bay Seagulls full back John Mackin scores the match winning try during the Gold Coast Rugby League A-Grade Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears played at CBus StadiumPhoto: Scott Powick Newscorp
Mackin played the final four clashes of the regular season; winning each contest, including a triumph over minor premiers Burleigh.
However with such little game time, he was not eligible for finals.
His composure at the back, bringing with him RLGC titles and QCup stints, could prove his most vital asset as Gleeson revealed the Seagulls would be without halfback and on-field leader Aaron Booth due to work commitments.
But Gleeson said given Mackin had voiced his intention to be available from February, having pursued his pilot license in Toowoomba this year, his returning fullback would assume those leadership duties.
He said rather than rely on potential QCup call ups to replace Booth, he would seek to blood youngsters such as Eris Kane and Matthew Canning.
“He (Booth) has got leadership skills and his chat is something we'll miss … so if John Mackin comes in that’s him,” Gleeson said.
“He’s that type of bloke, he tells you what you’re doing wrong, what you’re doing badly; he doesn’t care he hurts your feelings because at training it’s about the team being better.
Eni Falou (right) of the Southport Tigers is tackled by Aaron Booth of Runaway Bay Seagulls during the Rugby League Gold Coast minor semi final played at Owen Park, Southport, Gold Coast, Sunday, August, 28, 2022. Photo: Regi Varghese
“In order for him to play good footy he needs the team to play good footy. Someone like John his chat is really good and it’s something if we do get will be really important for us.
“I think if we had John we probably win one of those finals games.
“It was a bit of a distracting year with Burleigh taking players, Tweed taking players, Ipswich and PNG taking players, so I felt like a reserve grade coach in my own club.
“They (Kane and Canning) are really confident kids, not a lot baffles them which is good but they also t want to get better – they text you after training and are always out before training.
“Unless you give a kid or anyone in a life an opportunity to show what they’ve got you won’t know. If we’re not giving our juniors a crack to play first-grade I don’t think we’re doing our job.”
Runaway Bay have been joined in returning to pre-season training by the Helensvale Hornets, who recently announced the signings brotherly trio of Jay, Brogan and Trinity Melrose.
The trio will aim to take the field together for the first time, having moved from the Mudgeeraba Redbacks where Jay played much of the A-grade season at five-eighth and Brogan in the centres and at fullback.
Burleigh Bears; Returning son to battle legend for key role
A battle is brewing at Pizzey Park, one which will pit a club legend with a returning utility for a claim to the number one jumper.
As Queensland Cup player of the year Taine Tuaupiki takes his biggest steps towards the NRL, having signed with the New Zealand Warriors, the Burleigh Bears are on the hunt for a fullback.
And while the maroon and white’s all time leading try scorer, Kurtis Rowe, looms as an obvious candidate, coach Luke Burt has confirmed a former utility was on the cusp of announcing his comeback to the side.
Toby McIntosh has spent the past few seasons taking a step back from elite rugby league, plying his trade with the Murwillumbah Mustangs in local football.
Work and family life soon took over the utility back’s life, however the ability never seemed to leave him.
Toby McIntosh in action for Burleigh.
As recently as this year, McIntosh earned selection for NSW Country.
Not since the Bears preliminary final defeat to Easts Tigers in 2018 has McIntosh been sighted in a Bears jumper, but Burt was confident he would return to the fore with the same energy that made him a staple selection in years gone by.
He said that energy and desire to launch a comeback with a fair more settled lifestyle off the field could make him a key inclusion as the rigours of the 2023 campaign take hold.
“He’s a good young fullback and obviously with Taine picking up an NRL contract with the Warriors there’s a great opportunity there for Toby,” Burt said.
“For work reasons he had to go back to playing local football at Murwillumbah at Northern NSW, but he made the rep sides, played in the halves and at fullback, and went down and won those rep games in Sydney.
“Due to change of job and a little bub that he had a couple of years ago he wanted to get back.
“With the way the fullback has evolved over the years they have to be a good communicator with the defensive side, but also be on the ball and a very good support player.
“Toby has that and has the ball playing ability with him being in the halves; he’s got that versatility.”
McIntosh is far from assured a spot in the team, however, as Rowe shapes as the clear candidate to take back his jersey.
Kurtis Rowe in action.
A veteran of 111 Burleigh appearances, as well as eight NRL contests with the Wests Tigers, the 29-year-old is the most imposing try-scoring in the Bears’ history; crossing the white line 70 times.
However the rise of Tuaupiki limited Rowe to just one game off the bench in 2022, playing the rest of the season with the club’s Rugby League Gold Coast outfit.
With so many players embarking on new rugby league journeys, Burt declared no place would be decided until prior to Round 1 kick off.
He confirmed Rowe would well and truly be in the mix, but history would play no part in selections.
“That’s a definitely an option, he only played one game and was a bit unlucky to not play more — Taine just had an exceptional year,” Burt said.
“But Kurtis is definitely in the mix and right in the equation. I’ve told everyone this pre-season no one is guaranteed a position so all positions are open.
“You have to earn your spot and the boys are clear on that.”
The Bears’ trial clashes are set to take place on February 11 and February 25.
Whether it has been for Palm Beach Currumbin or Tweed, Aaron Zimmerle has been left to gush when even reliving the exploits of Jett Forbes.
“He’s so fast,” the Seagulls coach and PBC teacher says with a somewhat exasperated laugh. It is that speed which has thrust the teenager flyer into his first NRL system, having embarked south to begin his career Cronulla Sharks.
Fresh off an emphatic Langer Trophy campaign — which included a four-try effort against Redcliffe State High School — Forbes has touched down in the Shire on what is understood to be a development deal with an eye on transitioning him to senior football in the coming season.
Yet the speedster has already grown accustom to defying his tender years.
On the back of an impressive Mal Meninga Cup campaign for Tweed, Forbes was fast-tracked into the Colts line up and scored a double in their semi-final defeat to Wynnum — the memories of which Zimmerle recalls clearly.
Jett Forbes in action for Palm Beach Currumbin.
It was those moments of individual brilliance that has the coach confident his former pupil could accelerate towards an NRL berth.
“Jett’s one of those players who has that x-factor with his speed. He scored for us against Wynnum in our semi-final; he went 70m and no one could get close to him,” Zimmerle said.
“His biggest thing now is adding physical shape to his frame. Wingers have to break down and score the tries and be the truck out of trouble, which is half the game for them.
“I was chatting to someone from there (the Sharks) this morning (Sunday) and he’s doing well down there.”
Still such a raw talent, it could be some time before Forbes makes his mark on the big stage, but the chance to learn off arguably the NRL’s most emphatic wing pairing — Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Muitalo — is set to be a groundbreaking insight for the 18-year-old.
While Forbes’ progress has been lauded within the Seagulls ranks, he will prove a noticeable absence in the Piggabeen men’s 2023 pursuits.
Lock Jack Cullen is another who could be plying his trade elsewhere, having taken up a pre-season opportunity to impress the Newcastle Knights.
The likes of Eli Tuli have also displayed such drastic progress that Zimmerle said the Keebra Park product could find himself training with the Queensland Cup squad in quick time.
Jack Cullen carries the ball for PBC.
As others graduate from the under-21s program, and the likes of fullback Jaylan de Groot and Tom Weaver plot extended chances to perform in the senior ranks, Zimmerle confirmed an extended Colts outfit would be selected to train up until Christmas.
More than 30 contenders put their names forward in Saturday’s trials, with outside backs and middle forwards in particular being looked out to replace the exodus of talent from the 2022 season.
And Zimmerle stressed that even those who did not make the cut had every chance of doing so down the line through weight of performances in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.
“There was a nice mix of some really tough and strong middle forwards, a couple of halves that showed some clear vision and good game sense, and a couple of outside backs damaging with the ball,” Zimmerle said.
“We’ll carry an extended squad through to Christmas that will allow some of these extra trialists to work with us and see the level.
“The conundrum for us in our planning is (someone like) Tommy Weaver is allocated to Tweed, but with another pre-season behind him you would expect he’s playing Cup not Colts.
“That might open the door for another young player like Max Liles who was in the semis and a year younger than Tommy. He’s doing a pre-season with the Titans but is only 18 … where Tommy may leave a vacancy for us that’s an opportunity for someone like Max.”
Tweed Seagulls; Trio earn huge chance with NRL powerhouse
– November 10
“He has earned every chance he has got”.
That was the praise passed down by new Tweed coach Dave Penna for the outgoing Charlie Murray, as the young forward prepares to push for a spot in the Melbourne Storm’s roster.
A former skipper of the Marymount College side, Murray will celebrate his breakout Queensland Cup campaign with a rigorous pre-season under the watchful eye of NRL master coach Craig Bellamy.
The 21-year-old will, as a result, ply his trade for Easts Tigers in the 2023 campaign, and will be joined in the gruelling Victoria training block by fellow former Seagulls Scott Galeano and Josh Patston.
On the back of his maiden NRL pre-season with the Gold Coast Titans, Murray came into Tweed’s senior ranks with just one Queensland Cup appearance to his credit.
Charlie Murray at Gold Coast Titans training.
He would go on to become a regular member of the Piggabeen faithful’s forward pack; averaging 22 tackles and 78 running metres from 14 appearances across the backrow, at hooker and on the bench.
While Murray’s versatility will be missed, Melbourne’s own loss in the form of Kiwi hooker-lock Brandon Smith could open the door for the Glitter Strip rookie to make an impression at the powerhouse NRL outfit.
Penna had nothing but praise for his outgoing trio — with Galeano the 2022 season’s fourth leading tryscorer (17) and Patston the club’s Best and Fairest.
He said his vision ultimately was for none of his players to remain in Tweed colours for long as they pursued NRL pathways, and Murray’s chance at the Storm was a testament to the young forward.
“We lost a few players and we’ve always been and still into the future will always be a club that’s here to try and help players and staff progress to the highest level they can,” Penna said.
“I’d like to say every player we’ve got is here for a year and we lose them. Charlie went on and he’s going to try his luck with Melbourne Storm, and we lost Scott Galeano and Josh Patterson to the Melbourne Storm system as well, and that’s why we’re here.
“Charlie has just earned every chance he’s got; he works very hard off the field, he works hard on his game, he trains hard and he’s earned the opportunity be where he is.
“I think he was just a hard working player that coaches will be excited that they know they can put him there and he’ll do a job.”
Joshua Patston in action for Tweed.
Heading into his first pre-season in the top job, Penna declared that “unless something dramatic changes” the Seagulls would remain relatively quiet in terms of recruitment.
Much of the 2022 squad which reached the semi-finals have remained, however they will be bolstered by the acquisition of former Manly and Canterbury forward Lloyd Perrett.
A veteran of 56 first-grade games, Perrett looms as a replacement for J.J Collins, who has linked up with the Dolphins for their inaugural season.
Penna said the 27-year-old, fresh off a Queensland Cup title with Norths Devils, came to him with a desire to have one last push towards the top.
But he said outside of his and former Newcastle youngster Jaron Purcell’s signature the foundations for success were already in place at the Seagulls.
“I worked with Lloyd at Canterbury when I was there, I know the family well and coached against his brother a lot,” Penna said.
“Lloyd is someone who reached out and has the passion and the drive, he wants to give it one last crack and I think he would be perfect in our club with the experience he will bring.
“At this stage unless something dramatic changes I’m excited with the crew that we’ve got.”
The Seagulls will begin pre-season training on November 28.
Penna will continue his role as Tweed’s pathways and recruitment manager in addition to replacing former head coach Ben Woolf.
Burleigh Bears; Miracle comeback beckons, rookie heads to Storm
– October 31
Few players have fought through the injury carnage Jeff Lynch has endured in his career, however the Burleigh veteran is at last poised to return to the field.
But while it remains to be seen where he will line up, he will face one less contender for his old jersey following a youngster’s move to an NRL powerhouse.
The 29-year-old Lynch missed the entire 2022 Queensland Cup campaign having suffered his third ACL tear, playing much of the 2021 season burdened by the issue without realising it.
Complications in his rehabilitation delayed his comeback, however the former Gold Coast Titans contracted prop has declared he was on track to be running unrestricted on day one of the pre-season.
Tristan Powell pictured during an under-18s State of Origin game. Pics Adam Head
Lynch is set to be joined in the Bears’ maroon and white by Cowboys bookend Emry Pere, who has secured a train and trial opportunity with the Titans after falling down the pecking order at North Queensland.
But one man who will not line up is Burleigh rookie of the year Tristan Powell, who Lynch confirmed had earned a contract with the Melbourne Storm.
Powell, who came through Gold Coast’s junior pathways, made his QCup debut off the bench in round one this year, with his maiden start a week later yielding 180 running metres, a try and 27 tackles. That colossal effort set up the 21-year-old’s breakout season, and Lynch had no doubt that once exposed to the Storm’s system he would rise to become an NRL regular.
“It’s awesome, it wasn’t really surprising for me to be honest; I was surprised he hadn’t gotten a gig a bit earlier,” Lynch said.
“It just solidified pretty much what I thought and I’m absolutely stoked for the kid. I couldn’t be happier for how he played and what he’s earnt and wish nothing but the best for him.
“I think Melbourne is the perfect environment for him to go and thrive. He’s a hard worker, he’s a country kid and he’s got good standards and morals.
“He’s everything Melbourne is about, I’ve got no questions that he will go down there and be a regular first-grade player in the not too distant future.”
Lynch was determined to ensure his comeback would be on course to begin once the Bears began their pre-season in mid-November under new head coach Luke Burt.
Jeff Lynch in action for Burleigh.
From there, he said he was on track to be fit and firing for the club’s first trial match in 2023.
While Pere and Lynch will add plenty lost by Powell’s absence, the hunt will also be on for a fullback after Taine Tuaupiki’s move to the New Zealand Warriors.
However club legend Kurtis Rowe looms as an obvious candidate.
Lynch said he would not make himself available for selection if he was not confident his knee would not hold him back, knowing all too well what the pitfalls could be.
The champion forward, who has 66 Bears caps to his name since 2016, has spoken in the past about how the obstacles to his previous recoveries were as psychologically challenging as they were physical.
He has openly discussed his own battles with mental illness as a result, and with that came a palpable message as Movember kicked off on Tuesday to hone in on men’s mental welfare.
“As males I feel like we can easily shut things out and try to cover up our problems by making ourselves busy and sort of shutting off to everyone,’ Lynch said.
“But we have to speak up and speak out because we’ve seen far too many deaths over the last five to 10 years of people taking their own lives.
“From one conversation it can save a live. I know when I was going through the dark times definitely speaking to my close circle of friends got me out of those holes.
“To this day I still confide in them when I do have my bad days. Not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows; you’re not going to have good days every single day, so speak out when you’re doing it tough.
“The plan is as soon as I’m coming back I’m coming back and playing to the best of my ability and as hard as I can.
“Everything is tracking right and I’ve got no doubt it will be ready to rock and roll and I’ll get back into some of my best footy ever.”
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