Burleigh Bears rookie Kai O’Donnell making big impression in Intrust Super Cup

BURLEIGH rookie Kai O’Donnell got his big break in the Intrust Super Cup mid-year when the Bears were struck by injuries.

BURLEIGH rookie Kai O’Donnell got his big break in the Intrust Super Cup mid-year when the Bears were struck by injuries.

As finals draw closer – the Bears could be as few as five games away from another premiership – more and more fit-again players have returned to the fold but none have come at O’Donnell’s expense.

That will continue on Saturday at Pizzey Park, with second-rower Jamie Dowling coming back from a knee injury against Townsville in place of either Jesse Savage or Matt Robinson.

Just seven games into his ISC career, O’Donnell has made such an impression that coach Jimmy Lenihan has simply had to keep on picking him.

O’Donnell goes within millimetres of scoring against Wynnum Manly. Picture: SMP Images

It’s a familiar story for the 19-year-old.

While young behemoths such as Payne Haas are thrust into the limelight, O’Donnell’s double-digit weight sometimes draws doubters about whether he is too small to make the grade.

Every time he gets in the door, there’s no looking back.

“He’s one of the best trainers I have ever heard of,” said agent Nash Dawson.

“A 19-year-old playing Cup, I think everyone gets excited about that. So the next step for Kai would be to gain that full-time development (deal).”

O’Donnell has drawn comparisons to Bears lock Sam Coster (pictured, middle). Picture: SMP Images

Fulfilling a supersub role as a lock forward or hooker, O’Donnell has been branded a “mini Sam Coster” and modestly says the quality of his teammates has made him look good.

“It’s hard not to (make an impression) when you have got such good players around you, the likes of Patty Politoni and Jamal Fogarty and all of the middles that inspire you to keep on pushing,” he said.

“I’m honoured to be in the side. Hopefully we can push forward to that premiership.”

Lenihan praised O’Donnell’s determination as his top asset and said his evolution was an example of Burleigh’s development strategy shining.

Shaun Carney on the attack for Tweed Heads against Papua New Guinea last weekend. Picture: SMP Images

Tweed Heads should be boosted by Brendan Elliot for their 3pm game in Ipswich on Saturday – as long as the Titans centre’s flight back from Sydney is not delayed.

The Seagulls are coming off a strong performance in their narrow loss to Papua New Guinea but are expecting a radically different contest against the Jets.

“It’s a very different preparation to Papua New Guinea who were pretty physical and I guess predictable to some extent, they’re just sending big, strong runners at you,” said Tweed coach Ben Woolf.

“Ipswich obviously move the ball well and test you everywhere.

“We got a bit of confidence out of last week for sure.”