Broadbeach’s Luke Martinero to play final Premier League game in grand final against GC Knights

HE is one of the most successful players in Premier League history, but Broadbeach’s Luke Martinero admits he is battling an unexpected bout of jitters ahead of his eighth grand final.

HE is one of the most successful players in Gold Coast Premier League history, but Broadbeach’s Luke Martinero admits he is battling an unexpected bout of jitters ahead of his eighth and last grand final appearance.

The 37-year-old defender will make his Premier League swansong against the Gold Coast Knights on Saturday night, bringing to an end a 20-season career featuring six premierships and four grand final victories with Broadbeach and Burleigh.

COMP WOES, TEAM WITHDRAWAL & COACHING MOVE - THE SNIPER

“I’m actually nervous, I haven’t been nervous in a game of football for about 10 years,” said Martinero, whose first stint at Broadbeach was interrupted by an eight-year shift at Burleigh from 2006-13.

“I’d say probably 100-150 mates of mine will be there and they get really rowdy as well so it should be fun. I just want to make sure I don’t let the team down.

Broadbeach veteran Luke Martinero will play his final Premier League game in Saturday night's grand final against Gold Coast Knights. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I’m pretty blessed, I’ve played for probably the two strongest clubs of the last 20 years. Even my junior days were just full of winning so I’ve been lucky enough to be on mostly winning sides.”

GRAND FINAL PODCAST WITH BROADBEACH’S LEE VERNON

The Beechmont resident played juniors with Tweed United, Nerang and Mudgeeraba before launching his senior career with Burleigh in 1997.

After switching to Broadbeach, he won the reserves premiership and grand final in 1998 and made his Premier League debut the following season.

Martinero playing for Burleigh in 2007.

Having captained the Dolphins to the 2005 premiership, he left to join coach Colin Phelan at Burleigh the next year and would go on to win the 2006-07 titles.

He returned to Broadbeach in 2014 and his amazing run of success has not slowed, winning the 2014 and 2016 premierships and playing in two grand finals.

OFF-FIELD ROLE KEY TO SOCCEROOS’ COAST REUNION

Martinero will not be lost to the game however, with plans to play for the Dolphins’ reserves next season and continue his work with the Broadbeach Ability Program.

“I’m going to have a lot to do with the club still. Lee (Vernon, coach) has asked me already if I want to get into the coaching side at Broadbeach.

Martinero scores for Broadbeach in the 2014 grand final against Mudgeeraba. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“I’m not too sure about that yet, we’ll see what happens. There’s plenty of options for me at the club.”

Broadbeach will feature in all four senior grand finals, with their Coast League (4pm) and Coast League Reserves (11am) sides to play Musgrave either side of the Premier League Reserves decider against Surfers Paradise at 1.30pm.

KNIGHTS RESPOND TO CULINA COACHING RUMOURS

LUKE MARTINERO TROPHIES LIST

■ FA Cups – 3 (2000, 2004, 2009)

■ Presidents Cups – 4 (1999, 2002, 2005, 2006)

■ Pre-season Cups – 3 (2015, 2016, 2018)

■ Premierships – 6 (1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014, 2016)

■ Grand Finals - 7 (1999 lost, 2005 lost, 2007 won, 2008 won, 2014 won, 2015 lost, 2017 won)