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.

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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.”