Former Burleigh and Runaway Bay premiership winner Jesse Malcolm ready to lead Ormeau Shearers

Jesse Malcolm is using every ounce of experience from back-to-back premiership campaigns as he looks to lead Ormeau off the bottom of the Rugby League Gold Coast ladder in 2019.

JESSE Malcolm is using every ounce of experience from back-to-back premiership campaigns as he looks to lead Ormeau off the bottom of the Rugby League Gold Coast ladder in 2019.

The 29-year-old featured in Runaway Bay’s grand final-winning side last year and got his hands on the A-grade title the year before at Burleigh.

Now he has a completely different challenge ahead of him: Rebuilding a side that has been trapped at the other end of the standings for the past two seasons.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? TWEED’S 2018 A-GRADE TEAM

The Shearers announced Malcolm, who is expected to play second-row, as a marquee signing before Christmas and have entrusted him with the captaincy.

Jesse Malcolm (right) during his Burleigh days, making a tackle on Tweed’s Sioni Alofi. Picture: Regi Varghese

“This is different challenge for me up at Ormeau but I’m loving it,” he said.

“I get to play with all of my friends and as soon as I knew I was going to Ormeau, I dragged a few of my friends along. The culture is really good there.

“I think we’ll be able to compete this year well.”

Malcolm is not looking too far ahead though, with the first step simply to chalk up an elusive win.

IT’S A SHAW THING IN TIGERLAND

“It’s always the dream to get to the top again so that will always be the goal but it’s obviously about ticking off those little goals first,” he said.

Their first test will come on Sunday afternoon against his ex-teammates at Runaway Bay.

“We thought that was a bit of a stitch up because last year we came last and they came first but I’ll take the challenge,” he laughed.

Rugby League Gold Coast season launch: Chris Rigney (Bilambil), Nick Harrold (Tugun), Jimmy Poland (Runaway Bay), Phil Ramage (Currumbin), Tu Whakatihi (Southport) and Jesse Malcolm (Ormeau). Picture: Supplied

“I know how good they are and I know the players that they have recruited so I’m just really looking forward to seeing how we match up against the best.”

ASH TAYLOR IN DOUBT FOR RAIDERS CLASH

Ormeau coach Julius Kuresa revealed the club had lost 70 per cent of their 2018 roster but their pack has been boosted by Malcolm, Kingi Akauola, Anthony Gray and former Titans under-20 captain Parahi Wilson, who is sidelined for six weeks with a foot injury.

“It has been a lot of hard work but the recruitment charge has always been about targeting players that can attract players and that has worked out really well for us,” Kuresa said.

“(Malcolm) has been really, really influential. Because the other clubs he has been at in fairly stacked teams, just being in this new environment his leadership qualities have really come out.”

RLGC ROUND 1 FIXTURES

Sunday

Currumbin v Southport at Galleon Way, 2pm

Runaway Bay v Ormeau at Bycroft Oval, 2pm

Tugun v Burleigh at Boyd St, 2pm