Crucial Surfers Paradise signing Nathan Rabnott to remain in Brisbane with Wynnum Manly

SURFERS Paradise’s quest to climb out of the Kookaburra Cup cellar has suffered a blow, with a star recruit backflipping on his Demons move.

SURFERS Paradise’s quest to climb out of the Kookaburra Cup cellar has suffered a hammer blow, with star recruit Nathan Rabnott backflipping on his Demons move to remain with Wynnum Manly.

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One of Queensland Premier Cricket’s most prolific batsmen since making his Sea Eagles debut in 2006-07, Rabnott was in June unveiled alongside Chris Lloyd and Claye Beams as a key Surfers signing.

The Demons had planned for Rabnott, Wynnum teammate Lloyd and former Queensland Bull Nathan Reardon to form the backbone of their 2019-20 campaign, but they may now be without all three.

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While Reardon has taken on an assistant coaching role with the PNG national side that could limit his Kookaburra Cup output, Rabnott and most likely Lloyd will remain in Brisbane.

“I’m staying at my club. I have been there a long time and I just couldn’t leave,” Gladstone product Rabnott, Wynnum’s captain for the past three seasons, said.

Nathan Rabnott in action for Wynnum Manly. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

“To be honest, I don’t have any family here (in southeast Queensland), I have just got a close group of mates at Wynnum and I thought I was going to be able to leave.

“(But) with all the players we have got, I feel like we can definitely give the premiership a nudge. I’d hate to get to December and they’re in with a chance and not be part of it.

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“I’m glad I made the decision now rather than get closer to the start of (Surfers’) season and then tell them. Scott (Day, coach) was really good about it.

“I was expecting him to give me a bit of a spray, which I wouldn’t have blamed him if he did, but he was really good.”

Rabnott and Reardon grew up together in Gladstone and also worked closely last season during Reardon’s time as a batting coach at Wynnum.

Nathan Reardon bowls for Surfers Paradise in last season’s Kookaburra Cup. Picture: Mike Batterham

With Chris Swan also departing the Demons to take on the Gold Coast Dolphins coaching role, Day said the club was now on the hunt for replacements for Rabnott and Lloyd.

“(Chris) is still undecided at this stage (but) I think it’s unlikely. So we are in the process of talking to two possible replacements,” Day said.

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“We are disappointed (about Nathan) as we know he would be a class player in this competition and would be a great asset to our club. But in saying that we want players playing the highest standard they can and Rabs still has plenty to offer at that level with Wynnum.

“I still think we will see Rabs at some stage throughout the season playing at Surfers, but unfortunately not the full season as was the original plan. Good luck to him, I hope he goes well.”