Broadbeach Cats QAFL coach details how the club’s list changes will ensure it gets back to the grand final

Broadbeach have endured a backline exodus but it’s the other areas of the ground new coach Beau Zorko says will ensure the Cats continue to challenge for a QAFL premiership.

BROADBEACH have endured a backline exodus but it’s the other areas of the ground new coach Beau Zorko says will ensure the Cats continue to challenge for a QAFL premiership.

The Cats defensive unit was their greatest strength in 2018 and helped take them to the grand final where they fell just short to reigning premiers Palm Beach Currumbin.

But the exit of defensive options Evan Panozza, Nathan Quick, James Royes, Robert Blood and Dale Eames in the off-season, it has left a gaping hole in the Broadbeach’s backline.

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Zorko has been entrusted with the task of taking the Cats to a second grand final in as many years and despite the radical list of departures from the back half of the field, he revealed his focus was on strengthening Broadbeach up the ground.

“It’s a bit of a different looking list this year,” Zorko said.

“If you had a look at the Cats strength last year they were strong through the back half.

“We have been quite strategic in our recruiting. I don’t think the club was quite strong or deep enough through the midfield and we have looked at rectifying that.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Thomas Thynne is pushed by Broadbeach player Evan Panozza at the QAFL Round 6 Aussie Rules match between Broadbeach and Palm Beach Currumbin at Subaru Oval. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We wanted more options at forward as well and we have put more work into those areas of the ground.”

Zorko said he had the benefit of depth across the seniors and reserves, who won their grand final last year, and was confident they wouldn’t fail to be a force in the backline again.

“Defensively we have a great opportunity to bring in recruit but also blood some new talent,” Zorko said.

“The reserves won their last 16 games last year, including the grand final.

“We have depth there that we have been able to tap in to. There are some players there who will play some different roles and find themselves in the senior side because they have been able to evolve their game. We are not weaker, just different.”

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Zorko said the pain of losing last year’s grand final had provided no shortage of inspiration throughout the preseason.

“I can’t fault them from a training aspect. Their attitude and level of professionalism has really impressed me,” Zorko said.

“As much as they had a great year last year, by their own admission they have been to the big dance and had a taste of what it’s like.

“I sense they are after some success and you can feel that in every session.”