Squad analysis: Breaking down the 24-man Gold Coast Vikings
A Gold Coast combined Vikings side will take on their rivals from Brisbane and Ipswich. READ UP ON THE PLAYERS SELECTED HERE>>
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A concreter by day, a fearless dummy-half by night.
It is no surprise that Tyler Creecy has “the hardest body at the club”, but that determination has made Currumbin coach Matt Geyer reign in the young hooker — for now.
Creecy was one of three Eagles chosen for the Gold Coast Vikings squad, joined by centre Noah Croudace and edge forward Jakob Smith.
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Playing off the bench, his sharp running game out of the ruck has proven to be a constant threat despite his side’s winless start to 2022.
Geyer has long praised the Currumbin junior’s ferocity and work ethic, and said with his entire family embedded in the club the 20-year-old epitomised the direction the red and white brigade were headed.
But he said with the versatile Jakob Schimke able to fill the number nine jumper for the time being before assuming another role in the starting 13, Cleecy would be eased into the rigours of A-grade competition for the sake of his longevity.
“He works hard, he’s a concreter so I’m just wary of his young body,” Geyer said.
“He’s got the hardest body out of everyone at the club, but I’m just really aware rugby league isn’t paying his bills so he needs to slowly develop rather than thrown to the wolves.
“I want him used to playing against men for a while, and as a group when we think he’s ready he’ll start.
“He’s got an amazing work ethic, he’s only 20 but we’re trying to develop him slowly. With his stature, he’s only a short fella and he’s definitely playing a man’s game.
“But he’s chomping at the bit for more responsibility. Rather than pushing him out the gate I’m holding the reigns and he’s keen as to rip in.”
While Geyer admits he is “bitterly disappointed” by the way in which his Eagles have started their campaign, his representative trio have given hope that a brighter season is ahead of them.
In Smith, the former Melbourne Storm champion sees a “student of the game” who displays the type of ‘bush kid’ toughness that has made him a valuable asset in the backrow.
In Croudace, Geyer said the emerging centre had gone through “a meteoric rise”.
Originally a Burleigh Bear, Croudace made the move to Currumbin unbeknown to Geyer until the first day of pre-season, a move the coach believed was in the name of gaining top level opportunities.
Geyer said the 19-year-old shared some traits similar to Creecy — at times, such was the energy he brought to the field, he needed to be pulled back for his own good.
Nevertheless he said the ability demonstrated by the teenage centre and the determination he exhibited with each session typified the style of player who could thrive in the representative arena.
“He was so impressive over the pre-season, he’s our best trainer and true to our word we’re trying to reward those kind of things at the club,” Geyer said.
“I said he would get first shot. With him and Tyler, the reason I feel you need to look after those two is they play the game very confrontational.
“They don’t see a big person in front of them and run softer, they run harder. It’s a brutal version of rugby league. We’ve got a real duty of care to make sure they’ve got some longevity in our game.
“I’ve got no concern about them handling the Vikings game, but there’s handling and thriving and it’s that fine line.”
The Vikings will take on two teams from Brisbane and one from Ipswich, beginning on April 30.
Fullbacks — Zac Beecher, Kyle Williams
Two men with very different styles of play will battle it out for the coveted number one jumper.
Zac Beecher has been a new sight for Tugun at the back, but working under former Melbourne Storm custodian Paul Sheedy has proven the ultimately blessing.
After finishing last year’s Gold Coast competition as the third leading tryscorer, Beecher has showcased his toughness coming out of his own end while constantly supporting his halves with plenty of energy.
Seahawks coach Clint Barends said the extra sessions Beecher had put in with Sheedy had paid huge dividends, particularly given how green he was as a fullback.
“He was a hooker in juniors and played a bit of centre for us last year,” Barends said.
“Then in the pre-season we sort of looked at him and I thought he might make a good go at fullback. He’s 22 I think and he’s very, very fit and committed.”
To claim the same job in the Vikings set up, however, he will need to contend with Mudgeeraba leader Kyle Williams.
Williams’ return to the Redbacks side coincided with a shock victory over Southport, with coach Martin Griese praising his influence at the back.
It was not so much the flashy plays or moments of brilliance which stood out about Williams, Griese said, but the impact he was able to have on his teammates.
“It’s just a multitude of things where he keeps everyone calm, he ensures we’re doing exactly what’s needed,” he said.
“When it comes time to do a tough carry or someone has to put their body on the line he’s the first to do it.
“It’s exactly what turns the tide, it’s experience. If you’ve got a team full of young kids you struggle to have that moment of clarity under chaos.”
Wingers – Josh Bukowski, Brent Barnes
Young, quick and equipped with plenty of know-how when it comes to finding the tryline.
Wingers Josh Bukowski and Brent Barnes may not be locks for places on the flanks, with fullback Beecher also able to fill the void if need be.
Nevertheless, the selected pair will be more than up for the fight.
Mudgeeraba’s Bukowski impressed in front of selectors in round one’s gala day at Tugun, scoring a brilliant double in the Redbacks two-point loss to the Seahawks.
His four-pointer in the second half featured some captivating acrobatics to land in the in-goal, while the move also showcased his resilience given he attempted the same feat moments earlier only to be denied by desperate defence.
Meanwhile, former Helensvale Hornets fullback Brent Barnes has made the switch to the Runaway Bay Seagulls with aplomb, scoring a hat-trick in round two against Ormeau.
He has carried that form into the Tweed Seagulls Colts side, scoring in their first clash of the season — a 40-16 win over Burleigh.
Centres – Noah Croudace, Allan Lockwood, Queille Murray
While Croudace has, by Geyer’s admission, undergone a considerable spike in form, he will have a pair of hard running rivals to contend with for a spot in the centres.
Burleigh gun Allan Lockwood has made a name for himself in the Bears line up, even making his Queensland Cup debut for the club last year.
He would go on to feature three times, averaging 118 running metres a game and scoring a try in the process.
At just 22, Lockwood still has his best football ahead of him and strong performances in the Gold Coast competition — and for the Vikings — could lead to further international caps with Lebanon, having not played on the international stage since his 2019 appearances against Fiji.
Meanwhile Runaway Bay backline weapon Queille Murray has capitalised on his train and trial stint during the Gold Coast Titans’ pre-season, and will be eager to make a maiden QCup appearance for Tweed Seagulls this year.
In his last outing, a 40-4 drubbing of Helensvale, Murray shifted to the bench and provided plenty of punch in a foreign role to him.
Halves – Zane Harris, Blake Scott, Keanu Te Kiri
He has been tasked with guiding a star-studded Southport Tigers outfit, fresh off a stint training with the Sydney Roosters.
Now Zane Harris expected to spearhead the Vikings to glory.
Harris is not your typical build for a halfback. Where many are shorter and stockier, the Tigers maestro is tall, lanky and backed with a powerful running game.
A solo try against Burleigh in round one showcased his ability to take the line on, and Vikings coach Wayne Forbes believes he had the makings of a player they could build the Gold Coast side around if he is unable to secure higher rugby league honours.
“I like his competitiveness, he’s very competitive. He’s got that sort of never say die attitude,” Forbes said.
“He’s got that speed and step, and he’s a pretty complete half. He impressed us when he took the line on, and he’s got the right skills and toughness.”
With Harris tipped to claim the number seven jersey, Forbes said versatile Tugun Seahawk Keanu Te Kiri would likely line up at five-eighth.
This was largely due, not only to Te Kiri’s strong start to the season, but also the potential unavailability of Harris’ Southport teammate Blake Scott.
The nephew of NRL legend Scott Sattler has typically played at hooker, however he impressed at halfback in the Tigers first win of the season against Tugun.
But with ties to the Tweed Seagulls in the Queensland Cup, Forbes said there was every chance Scott would prove to be ineligible for the April 30 competition.
Middles – Joe Duffy, Denzal Ngati, Lochlyn Sheldon, Brandon Russell, Matthew Koellner, Brock Hamill, Levi Norton
Even after being dropped to reserve grade last week, Forbes had seen enough of Tigers big man Denzal Ngati to be convinced he was ready for the Vikings set up.
Equipped with plenty of size and strength, as well as a surprisingly quick play the ball, Ngati was one of his side’s best in round one as they mounted a comeback against defending champions Burleigh.
However he still found himself axed from the A-grade 17 in their win against Tugun, but Forbes said knowing what made Ngati tick made him an easy inclusion.
“Knowing his background and what he can do, with rep football he’ll be ready,” he said.
“I think he was one of their best in the reserve grade game, and one of the best in A-grade. “He has received quite a good wrap from his A-grade coach. All these (people picked) aren’t necessarily the best and most skilled in individual positions, but as a unit they’ll come together.”
Ngati will be joined in the battle for spots through the middle of the field by the likes of Bears recruit Joe Duffy, a product from Orange who was brought to coach Matt Foster’s attention by former Burleigh star Jack Buchannan.
Plenty chosen in the middle,
“There is a touch of both, you still need some big bodies to draw players in and get quick plays off the back of that,” Forbes said.
“You’ve really got to scope out the crystal ball of what the other teams will be like.”
Hookers – Tyler Creecy, Jordan Scott
Creecy may be the new kid on the block, but to unseat a veteran of 38 QCup appearances it would take an ultimately effort on the training paddock.
Given the calibre Jordan Scott comes with, the Currumbin dynamo may have to bide his time off the bench.
Burleigh rake, Scott, comes with plenty of pedigree having lined up in the state competition with Souths Logan and the Bears since 2017.
He has already featured once in 2022, a stint off the bench against the Townsville Blackhawks, and will seek to use the representative carnival to push for more minutes at the state level.
Edge Forwards – Jakob Smith, Blake Campbell, Liam Clark, Kody Parsons, Sherwin Tanobi
“A New South Wales bushy boy” who made the move to Currumbin for his under-18s season, Jakob Smith has now found his way to the cusp of a Vikings debut.
The Eagles forward has transitioned from the outside backs to the edge forwards, and his coach Geyer believes it will begin to bring out the best in him.
“He’s quite ambitious, he’s doing a train and trial with Tweed Seagulls and doing great for us,” Geyer said.
“He’s stepped into A-grade level and really assumed the role, he really wants to play A-grade and beyond. He came to us as a centre, he has a bit of toe … but he thought we move him closer (to the middle) because of his frame.
“He looked like he put a bit of size on (in the off-season). He runs a really uncompromising line and he loves a hard inside shoulder line.”
Forbes said the forwards he had chosen as edge options were partly selected on their versatility to play through the middle.
“Edges, middles, they are all merging into the one position,” he said.
“Especially when you’re playing bigger sides like Brisbane, they’ll have a lot of big bodies but I like the mobility and work rate you can get out of the different shapes in the edges.
“So if you can have a lock and middles that can ball play, and that can run on the edge, it opens up those dimensions in attack and more lateral movements in defensive and attacking options.”
Originally published as Squad analysis: Breaking down the 24-man Gold Coast Vikings
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