Ghosts of past, toilet tricks and Trump’s nod: All your Gold Coast sporting gossip
The Sniper is back with all your Gold Coast sporting gossip.
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The Sniper is back with all your Gold Coast sporting gossip.
RUGBY LEAGUE
RETURNING Burleigh coach Rick Stone says he can see the similarities between the club’s reigning Intrust Super Cup premiers and the group he steered to titles in 1999 and 2004.
“I look back at the team we had from 1999-2005, which was pretty consistent and possibly a little bit more experienced (than most other clubs), there’s a lot of similarities between the two teams,” he said.
“All those boys (here now) have now established themselves as people who would like to live on the Gold Coast and still enjoy playing their footy at this level, even though it’s not the top level.
“They enjoy playing with each other and they’ve had some success and hopefully they still crave a little bit more.”
The Bears opened their ISC defence with a comfortable win over Wynnum Manly on March 15 before the coronavirus forced the postponement of the season.
While a resumption date is unclear, Stone said his troops would be ready.
“I suppose you put as much pressure on yourself as you want to. But if you’re premiers everyone’s coming to get you, we understand that,” he said.
“To go back to back is tough, I think Wynnum are the only team to have done it in the ISC history. It’s a long way away, another premiership, so we’ve got to start from the beginning again and earn the right to have some confidence.”
OLYMPICS
DONALD Trump has won himself a legion of kayaking fans, apparently.
The US president is known for his bizarre comments so the ears and oars of Gold Coast crews pricked up last week when he declared kayaking the safest sport in the world at the moment due to the coronavirus.
“It is just so removed from others and you are out there on your own,” Olympian Alyce Wood said.
“As strange as it was to hear from Trump, and I’m not sure why he said it, all the team started talking about it.
“We’ve made it now we have Trump in our corner.”
FOOTBALL
THE NPL derby between Gold Coast Knights and Gold Coast United has been put on hold amid the coronavirus crisis but it remains firmly in mind for Mitch Nichols.
With his side failing to beat United in both meetings last season, the Knights captain is desperate to make amends.
“We didn’t beat them last year, which was a bit disappointing. It’s probably something that stings the group,” said the former Socceroo, whose Coast rivals include former Knights players Sam Smith, Justyn McKay and Euan Thum-Davidson.
“It’s bragging rights and obviously both teams get up for it. It’s always a tough battle. (Those former Knights players) have moved on and we can kick them now so it will be good.”
CRICKET
OUTGOING Gold Coast women’s coach Garry Lovett is still coming to terms with this month’s grand final loss to Sandgate-Redcliffe but insists he feels nothing but pride.
“Super proud, mate. The girls gave 110 per cent,” he said.
CRICKET VETERAN EYES FRESH CHALLENGE
“It was very emotional all through the (grand final) weekend and definitely on Sunday and after the game in the changerooms. It will take me a couple of days to reflect and I’m sure that’s when (stepping down) will really hit home.”
HEALTH AND FITNESS
A Gold Coast gym is conducting live and free training sessions online twice a day in a bid to ‘Keep the GC Moving’.
Uber Shape, located in Burleigh Heads, launched the initiative after having to close its doors due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
“There are many things we can’t control, but we can control our physical and mental health through movement & exercise,” gym owner Coby van den Ende said.
“The better we each feel; the more we can help send good vibes to our family and friends.
“In isolation, we don’t want people to feel isolated. This initiative, #keepthegcmoving, is where we can reach as many people outside of our community and connect them.”
The sessions are conducted for 20 minutes at 12pm and 6.30pm each day and can be accessed on the Uber Shape Facebook page.
RUGBY LEAGUE
A MOVE to the Gold Coast has given Titans coach Justin Holbrook a golden opportunity to reconnect with one of his boyhood passions – surfing.
WHAT NOW FOR TITANS AFTER SEASON ENDS
“I’ve got out and had a paddle a few times now, which I’ve really enjoyed,” the Sydney-raised mentor said.
“I just fumble my way around in the water but I think it’s great to get out and have a paddle. It’s a great feeling when you come in whether you’ve surfed a ride or not.
“I’m very rusty but it’s not the point, you come in feeling better for it. I can’t believe how warm the water is up here, it’s ridiculous.”
AUSTRALIAN RULES
THERE hasn’t been much for the Gold Coast Suns men’s team to celebrate but Rory Thompson got to share in one life-changing moment amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Thompson and his partner Carina Hierner welcomed Bobbie Rose Thompson to the world on March 9 in another who could be a future Suns player.
“I’m so proud of you (Hierner). You’re going to be the most amazing mum. I love you girls so much,” Thompson said on social media.
TRIATHLON
TRIATHLETES desperate to qualify for the Ironman World Championships may be in luck despite events being postponed or cancelled around the globe.
Ironman has launched a virtual racing series, a web-based platform allowing athletes to train and compete from anywhere around the world at any time through weekly races and challenges.
Athletes will compete in the traditional age-group categories and for select virtual races, will have the opportunity to earn qualifying slots to the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand scheduled to take place on November 28 and 29, 2020.
CRICKET
WHICH prominent Kookaburra Cup figure could not hide his disappointment that this season’s finals were scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic?
“Minor premiers, Broadbeach (but) not won a premiership,” the player said after Broadbeach Robina were handed the title after finishing top of the table.
“Not happy. This virus is out of control.”
AUSSIE RULES
TALK about rubbing salt into the wound.
After remaining largely injury-free all AFLW season, the Suns copped the blunt end of the injury stick on Saturday in their semi-final loss to Fremantle.
RANKING EVERY SUNS AFLW PLAYER
At one point, the Suns were running dangerously low on bench rotations after Tiarna Ernst and Jasmyn Hewett were ruled out with concussion and Lauren Bella was off the ground for assessment.
Just when it seemed like it couldn’t get any worse, Jordann Hickey was stung by a bee while sitting on the bench, leaving the Suns briefly with no rotations.
“When a bee gets involved, what are you going to do?” said coach David Lake after the game.
ALL THE PHOTOS FROM COAST TENNIS FINALS
AUSSIE RULES
STAYING on the Suns, we loved watching the girls having a ball on their near empty charter plane to Perth on Friday.
The league made the decision to put teams on private planes over the weekend to limit players contact with the public, meaning the Suns had an entire plane to themselves.
Highlights from social media included Serene Watson and Kalinda Howarth taking over the meal service; even dressing to the part in the iconic red Virgin Australia blazer.
The hosties even joined the players in a few rounds of board games to help the five-hour flight pass.
HOCKEY
IT seems like Rosie Malone has found a creative new way to keep training from home as the world is gripped by coronavirus.
Last week, the Burleigh hockey product posted a video of herself on Instagram, performing some impressive trick shots with a roll of toilet paper.
BEST DOLPHINS CRICKET PHOTOS OF THE SEASON
“I never knew training in the house could be this much fun,” she wrote.
“And parents will be happy about the toilet paper trend which is putting a stop to balls being smashed into walls or breaking glass windows.”
SURF LIFESAVING
WITH the surf lifesaving season coming to an abrupt end, it was no surprise to see some of the Gold Coast’s biggest stars celebrating their summer achievements.
Our favourite was watching the boys and girls of Kurrawa take on Northcliffe in a boat race (of the drinking kind). For the record, Kurrawa won comfortably and Matt Poole was a star performer.
AUSTRALIAN RULES
THEY play for the Sharks and now a trio of Southport NEAFL players have come face-to-face with a few of them.
Southport trio Matt Shaw, Ryan Davis and Tom Miller were fishing off-shore for Tuna at Fraser Island over the weekend when they found themselves battling with Sharks to get the fish they hooked in the boat.
“The Sharks are crazy at Fraser at the moment,” Matt Shaw said.
“It was good fun up there. We landed a fair few past the sharks but lost just as many.”
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