NRL title winner Scott Sattler says mental battle key for Burleigh after booking grand final ticket with win over Sunshine Coast
BURLEIGH are one win away from their first Intrust Super Cup premiership since 2016 but NRL title winner Scott Sattler says there could be one big obstacle in their way.
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NRL premiership winner Scott Sattler says the mental battle could now be the biggest obstacle to a Burleigh Intrust Super Cup title following today’s stunning upset of record-breaking Sunshine Coast.
The Bears were simply unstoppable in their 24-6 defeat of the minor premiers at Pizzey Park, with first-half tries from Blake Leary and Pat Politoni building a 14-0 lead before Hayden Schwass and Sami Sauiluma touched down within the space of four minutes to all but end the contest midway through the second half.
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A Nathan Saumalu try four minutes from time was mere consolation for the Falcons, who during the regular season set new records for most consecutive victories to open an ISC campaign (14), most wins (21), equal-fewest losses (one) and lowest average points conceded (12.69).
Burleigh, who were coming off a week’s break following a 34-32 victory over Wynnum in the first week of the semis, will now square off with the Seagulls in Sunday’s 3.15pm decider at Redcliffe.
Having overcome the most fearsome side in the competition, Sattler said Jim Lenihan’s side faced a monumental challenge in preparing for the premiership decider.
“What they’ve got to do now is readjust and get themselves up for next week,” Sattler, a member of Penrith’s title-winning NRL side in 2003, said.
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“It’s probably going to be Jimmy Lenihan’s bigges test as a coach this week. Now they’ve beaten Sunshine Coast, how do they re-level and get themselves ready?”
With their first premiership since 2016 within reach, Burleigh dominated the early exchanges and were camped in Sunshine Coast’s 20m line for much of the opening half.
They finally capitalised when back-rower Leary crashed over in the 16th minute on the back of a clever offload from five-eighth Dylan Phythian, before the latter laid another on for Politoni 10 minutes later.
Named man of the match, Phythian said the Bears had taken their game to new heights after earlier losses to Sunshine Coast this season.
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“That one there feels like a grand final. Sunshine Coast have beaten us twice throughout the year,” he said.
“Hopefully all the fans get out (for the grand final) because that’s another reason why we played so good.”
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