RUGBY UNION

Bond University to reach the finals for the first time

Since taking over the Gold Coast Breakers in 2014, Bond Uni have never reached the Queensland Premier Rugby finals but we predict that to change in 2020.

RUGBY UNION

Coomera Crushers won’t go winless

It will take a few weeks to adjust to life in the top flight after almost a decade in third grade, but once they do the Crushers are talented enough to scalp at least one team in 2020.

BASEBALL

Coomera Cubs to finish season as top attacking team

The Coomera Cubs are fifth on the ladder but second in runs scored, behind only leaders Pine Hill Lightning. A strong finish to the season will see them overtake the frontrunners.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Stingrays Men to win the Sunbowl

A five-year winning streak at under-19 level is feeding a production line of talent to the senior men’s team. They are simply too good to be knocked out in the semi-finals again.

SURF LIFESAVING

Coast to reclaim Nutri-Grain series crown

Noosa’s Lana Rogers has undoubtedly been the summer’s best ironwoman, winning the Coolangatta Gold and the next two Nutri-Grain rounds to wrap up the series before Christmas but we think it a Gold Coaster will reclaim the mantle next summer.

We’ve had six different women win the title in the last six summers and only four women have gone back to back in the sport’s history.

We reckon Rogers will again be a force but beware of the sleeping giants.

Three of last year’s top five in the Nutri-Grain series standings, Maddy Dunn, Kirsty Higginson and Brielle Cooper, all three Gold Coast talents, all find themselves ninth and below in the current standings.

Hannah Sculley has also had a below-average season by her standards while Georgia Miller has been Rogers’ biggest threat and will likely be in contention again next year.

SURF LIFESAVING

It’s a beautiful Day

He’s already missed the entire summer due to breaking both wrists in July during a SLSA photoshoot, but we reckon Ali Day will be back with a vengeance.

One of the best ironmen to ever grace the water, we imagine Day will be out to make up for lost time when he eventually recovers.

If he’s back up and running by then, lock him in to take out he’s seventh Coolangatta Gold title in October so much is the man’s resilience.

BASKETBALL

Rollers to go one better

It’s a big call considering both teams went down in straight sets in the 2019 grand finals, but we’re backing the Rollers to bounce back in fine fashion.

Although set to take a step up into the new NBL1 North League, the cost of the new league will force a few current QBL sides to opt-out of the new competition, meaning less teams and more skilled players looking for new homes.

We expect the Rollers to again sign some talented imports in addition to local players looking to take the next step. As long as they retain most of their current playing list and get their new recruits to buy into the Rollers system early, we predict the club to feature right at the pointy end again in 2020.

HOCKEY

Young talent time at Labrador

They’re fresh off a maiden BHL premiership, but we’re predicting a change of the guard at Labrador Hockey club in 2020.

The Tigerstix are expected to lose brother Dylan and Blake Wotherspoon to the Kookaburras and overseas respectively next year so we’re predicting that a number of young guns to take the next step.

Luca Brown is one of the most exciting hockey prospects in the country while Will Mathison, Ethan White and Josh Baxter all have their best hockey ahead of them.

Expect the next generation and their development to make or break Labrador’s chances of going back to back.

ATHLETICS

Only here for the Beer

She’s already the youngest ever representative at a world athletics championship but we think 2019 was only the start for Ellie Beer.

We predict Beer to take the next step in 2020 and qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

A big call for a 16-year-old but we need another Gold Coast athlete to cheer on after Sally Pearson’s retirement.

AUSSIE RULES

Palm Beach Currumbin to bounce back to win the QAFL premiership in 2020

The Lions grand final loss this year will burn them into the new year and recruits will add to an already powerful squad.

AUSSIE RULES

Southport to finish on top of the NEAFL ladder

Southport to finish on top of the NEAFL ladder on the back of their will use reduced travel schedule and recruitment. Finals will be a whole different challenge.

RACING

Michael Costa to celebrate his first Group win

The Gold Coast trainer has been slowly building his stable and financial backers. 2020 is the year he takes big step forward.

Matt Hauser and Ashleigh Gentle to guide Australia to a medal at the Olympic Games in the mixed team relay.

Inconsistency has plagued Gold Coast’s men over the first half of the Queensland Premier Cricket season, but they will find top gear to reach the two-day semi finals in March.

CRICKET

With the first grade Twenty20 crown already safe in their keeping, Mudgeeraba Nerang will edge out reigning premiers Broadbeach Robina in a thrilling Kookaburra Cup grand final.

Putting a horror 2019 campaign behind them, the Gold Coast Titans will bounce back next season to mount a serious challenge for a top-eight spot.

Burleigh’s reign as Rugby League Gold Coast’s A grade kings will continue in 2020, with the Bears to seal back-to-back premierships under coach Matt Foster.

Having defied the odds to reach the Gold Coast Premier League playoffs last season, Coomera – led by star recruit Henrique – will fare even better in 2020 to claim the grand final.

SURFING

Rise of the Coast talents

After a somewhat slower year by Coast surfing standards we can see a new wave of talent coming through.

With Jack Freestone already flying the WSL flag in the men’s competition, expect Isabella Nichols to join a revitalised Steph Gilmore on the women’s tour.

TENNIS

Sam’s surge, Bernie’s bid

Sam Stosur is well and truly in the veteran status these days but we reckon she has one big venture at a grand slam left in her. Quarters at the US Open?

As for Bernard Tomic, with more maturity should come another performance out of the box, perhaps a spellbinding ATP tour victory over some of the biggest guns.

GOLF

Becky’s big breakthrough

Becky Kay played the round of her life in Japan in 2019 and has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent times. Now she’s set to go to the next level and we think a breakout performance at a major tournament is just the ticket.