Belief remains high at Gold Coast Dolphins despite heavy loss to Wests in season opener

GOLD Coast all-rounder Matt Kuhnemann insists belief remains high within the first grade playing group, despite the Dolphins’ nine-wicket thumping from Wests in Saturday’s season opener.

GOLD Coast all-rounder Matt Kuhnemann insists belief remains high within the first grade playing group, despite the Dolphins’ nine-wicket thumping from Wests in Saturday’s season-opening one-day clash.

With an average age of just 20, the Dolphins were no match for the classy Bulldogs at Graceville Memorial Oval, with their batsmen failing to deliver in their first assignment of 2018-19.

Having lost the toss, the visitors were bowled out for just 99 in the 30th over, with 16-year-old debutant Hugo Burdon the shining light with a patient knock of 35.

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Wests then cruised home with nine wickets and more than 30 overs to spare, but Kuhnemann said the Dolphins were not reaching for the panic button just yet.

“We got outclassed. They had a really good bowling attack and they fielded the house down,” the 21-year-old left-arm spinner said.

Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder Matt Kuhnemann. Picture: Mike Batterham

“They’re a really solid team and they had a really good day, they were on. We have just got to have better plans next game.

“We’re trying not to get too down about it. The feeling in the changerooms, we were down but we have the belief we can beat these good teams moving forward.

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“If a few of those catches didn’t go to hand, maybe a couple of partnerships could’ve happened. In terms of the positives, Hugo Burdon making his debut, he was really impressive.”

The Dolphins struck trouble in the opening over when Max Bryant was dismissed for a golden duck and things never improved from there.

Hugo Burdon topscored for the Dolphins with 35. Picture: Jerad Williams

Burdon, who came to the crease at 3-26, was one of only three players to make double figures, with Jack Hargreaves (10) and Trent Arnold (15) the others.

Kuhnemann, who will play a midweek trial for Queensland alongside Bryant and Xavier Bartlett, dismissed the notion a lack of experience had played a role in their demise.

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“Obviously having experienced people in the team helps but we can’t really look at it that way. The core group have been together for the last four or five years so looking forward,” he said.

“We still have experienced guys around the club like the coaches.”

The Dolphins host Sandgate-Redcliffe, who beat Redlands by seven wickets, in another one-dayer this Saturday.