Nerang and Surfers Paradise to meet in Round 1 of 2019 Premier League following draw release

NEW Nerang coach Dave Benigno will not have to wait long for a shot at former club Surfers Paradise after the sides were drawn to face each other in Round 1 of the 2019 Premier League.

NEW Nerang coach Dave Benigno will take on former club Surfers Paradise in a Round 1 blockbuster next season following the release of the 2019 Gold Coast Premier League draw.

Benigno, whose three-season stint with Apollo included a 2016 grand final win and a run to the FFA Cup’s Round of 32, will return to Lex Bell Oval for his new look Nerang squad’s season opener on March 9.

Perennial title challengers Broadbeach will host Tweed United in the first game of the year on March 8, with Palm Beach to travel to Burleigh (March 9), and Coomera to meet Mudgeeraba (March 10) at Viney Park in other Round 1 fixtures.

MUDGEERABA TURN TO PACIFIC MINNOWS

Kick off times for next year’s 21-round Premier League have been staggered so games do not clash, while an Anzac Day eve game has also been introduced and will be played between Palm Beach and Broadbeach at Duncan McKenna Field.

Nerang coach Dave Benigno. Picture: Luke Sorensen

Football Gold Coast officials will meet this week to discuss any possible changes to the draw, while clubs have also been given the chance to provide feedback.

The Coast League One fixture list has already drawn claims of “favouritism” towards newcomers Bond University, who have been handed Friday night games in all home fixtures.

However, FGC general manager Damien Bresic said producing the draw was a delicate balancing act.

ACADEMY’S VISION FOR POTENTIAL HOME

“There’s definitely no favouritism to Bond,” he said.

“That was a request they made to play their home games on a Friday because they’re on a multi-use facility with Bond rugby and other codes. We have sent an email to all clubs asking for feedback on the draw and once we get that back we will see (what comes of it).

Football Gold Coast general manager Damien Bresic.

“What we have to be mindful of is that there’s four Premier League games and five Coast League One games each weekend. That’s 27 referees and then on top of that we have two NPL teams, two WNPL teams and four sides that are in the Brisbane Women’s Premier League.

“So worst case scenario, we could have up to 15 games on the Gold Coast on one weekend, which would require 45 decent referees. So we’re trying to spread it out over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we’re trying to shuffle the deck chairs a little bit.

REES PLEASED WITH EARLY UNITED HITOUT

“We’re happy to put our hand up and work with the clubs. It’s a shame sometimes clubs only look at their own backyard and not the bigger picture.”

The 11-team Coast League will also kick off on the weekend of March 8-10 with games between Coomera and Bond; Kingsliff and Nerang; Broadbeach and Robina; Musgrave and Pacific Pines; and Southport and Murwillumbah.