Burleigh coach Matt Foster reveals key to premiership defence in ‘20 after beating Southport in decider

A FOCUS on individual development will keep the premiership fire burning at Burleigh in 2020 after the Bears’ four-year wait for Rugby League Gold Coast glory came to an end on Saturday.

A FOCUS on individual development will keep the premiership fire burning at Burleigh in 2020 after the Bears’ four-year wait for Rugby League Gold Coast glory came to an end on Saturday.

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Runaway minor premiers, Burleigh put the exclamation mark on their A grade resurrection with a 30-12 triumph over Southport in their grand-final showdown at Pizzey Park.

Despite having played just once since August 18, the Bears showed no signs of rust as centre Regan Ogle opened the scoring within minutes of kick off.

The Tigers then hit back through Jaleel Seve-Derbas midway through the first half, before Darius Farmer restored Burleigh’s lead after pouncing on a Conner Toia grubber shortly afterwards.

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Tries from Bears five-eighth Matthew Egan and Farmer after halftime stretched the hosts’ lead to 24-6, with Denzal Ngati and George House swapping late tries to round out the scoring.

The victory sealed Burleigh’s first top-grade premiership since 2015 and erased the pain of a disappointing 2018 campaign in which they failed to make the finals.

Burleigh players celebrate Saturday’s grand final win over Southport. Picture: SMP Images

Coach Matt Foster, who steered the Bears to the 2015-16 grand finals before returning to the helm this season, said the club’s development philosophies would ensure there was no premiership hangover next year.

“(The key) is what I talked about prior to the finals. It’s not about winning games, it’s about performance,” he said.

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“I’ve already spoken to Jim (Lenihan, Intrust Super Cup coach) and I’ll be doing the A grade again next year. Being able to improve our footballers as individuals is our focus.

“When you’re doing that, complacency doesn’t have a place. It’s very pleasing (to win the grand final). Everybody goes into a competition trying to win so to do it, there’s a lot of pride for the boys and the staff that have put the effort in.”

Tempers flare during the Bears’ 30-12 victory. Picture: SMP Images

Foster had been outspoken with his concern over the Bears’ lack of game time in recent weeks, but his worries evaporated early on Saturday.

“Once the game started, the boys got back to business. It’s the pre-match that gets you a bit nervous but once we got into the game, your game head takes over,” he said.

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“I said I was worried about that break and the amount of game time we had had in that five-week period but they boys didn’t play like they had had a break. I thought they really did turn up and play.”

Currumbin claimed the under-20s decider, building on a 4-0 halftime lead over Burleigh before running out 14-6 winners.

BURLEIGH 30 (Darius Farmer 2, Regan Ogle, Matthew Egan, George House tries; Dylan Kelly 3, Reece Tapine 2 goals) DEF. SOUTHPORT 12 (Jaleel Seve-Derbas, Denzal Ngati tries, Barry Ruttley 2 goals)