Newly-crowned champions Burleigh Heads say Premier League finals are a new ball-game

HIS Gold Coast Premier League finals rivals have anointed Burleigh Heads as the team to beat when the season’s business end officially kicks off today, but Bulldogs midfielder Matt Noble says it’s anyone’s game.

HIS Gold Coast Premier League finals rivals have anointed Burleigh Heads as the team to beat when the season’s business end officially kicks off today.

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But Bulldogs midfielder Matt Noble says the title is anyone’s to win as his side looks to right the wrongs of their failed 2018 finals campaign.

With the championship already safe in their keeping, Burleigh’s quest for the Premier League double will continue when they host runners-up Surfers Paradise at 4.30pm for a place in the September 14 grand final.

PREMIER LEAGUE STAR’S FINALS PREDICTIONS

Surfers captain Bruno Rodriguez and counterparts Leon Bell (Broadbeach United) and Mark Ingerson (Coomera), who will square off in a do-or-die semi final at Nikiforides Family Park at 3pm on Sunday, believe the Bulldogs will enter the playoffs as red-hot favourites.

However, midfield leader Noble isn’t so sure.

“Obviously we have done well to do what we have done this year and our main aim was to win the league, but finals is a whole new ball game,” Noble, 30, said.

Matt Noble (Burleigh Heads), Bruno Rodriguez (Surfers Paradise), Leon Bell (Broadbeach United) and Mark Ingerson (Coomera) are ready for the start of the Premier League finals. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It’s just a one-off game for us this weekend and if we win that you go through to the final. We’re looking forward to it, it should be a good game against Surfers.

“There’s no pressure on us. We have already done what we set out to do this year and that was win the league.

“Anything from here is just a bonus. We can just go out and enjoy it.”

CUP SET FOR LAUNCH AHEAD OF CRUCIAL NPL CLASH

Burleigh’s efforts this year have helped erase the painful memories of 2018, when they led the league for much of the season before stumbling home in third spot and exiting in the first week of finals.

Noble said valuable lessons had been learned from that experience.

“I think we have got a bit more experience and depth than what we had last year,” he said.

“What happened last year with starting off so well and then the finals, we can use that as a positive going forward.

Going into the games I think we’re going to be very confident with the way we’ve played.

“We’ve played the right way.”

Surfers inflicted one of only two defeats on Burleigh this season with a 3-0 win at Pizzey Park in May.

Burleigh won the other meetings 2-1 and 3-2.

Broadbeach have won all three games against Coomera this season, including a 4-2 victory on August 3.

‘I JUST DON’T THINK THERE’S ENOUGH TALENT OUT THERE’

GCPL FINALS WEEK ONE

■ Saturday 4.30pm – Burleigh Heads vs. Surfers Paradise at Pizzey Park

■ Sunday 3pm – Broadbeach United vs. Coomera at Nikiforides Family Park