Gold Coast Cyclones coach Kris Burton says signs are positive despite 55-22 Sunshine Coast loss

AN undermanned Gold Coast Cyclones crashed to a 33-point loss to Sunshine Coast in Saturday’s Queensland Country Championships opener but coach Kris Burton believes the early signs for his side are positive.

AN undermanned Gold Coast Cyclones crashed to a 33-point loss to Sunshine Coast in Saturday’s Queensland Country Championships opener but coach Kris Burton believes the early signs for his side are positive.

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Led by a strong contingent of Surfers Paradise and Palm Beach Currumbin players, the Cyclones fell 55-22 in Gympie as their representative campaign got off to a shaky start.

However, Burton said there was plenty to work with ahead of Saturday’s encounter with Darling Downs at Palm Beach.

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“We had 23 players unavailable but it was a good effort by most. It was the first time playing at rep level for the Gold Coast for a lot of the players,” Burton said.

Gold Coast Cyclones coach Kris Burton. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

“We finished with 14 (players) due to injury. We had two yellow cards, which meant we played with 13 for 10 minutes and then 14 for the last 10 minutes.”

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Following the game against Darling Downs, the Cyclones will face Cairns at Ballymore (September 7) and Townsville in Townsville (September 14).