The Sniper is here to unearth all the goss in Gold Coast football

ALL the weekly gossip in Gold Coast football with The Sniper.

ALL the gossip in Gold Coast football with The Sniper.

BURLEIGH ARE BEATEN

For large parts of the year, Burleigh pressed and dominated Premier League teams in the typical style of coach Colin Phelan, but now they play like a defeated side.

After the premiership chase was over, they struggled even against last-placed Mudgeeraba with a 2-1 win on the weekend.

It’s a shame but I can’t see Burleigh progressing to have much more success in 2018.

PALMER ERA ERASED AMID UNITED YOUTH SUCCESS

THE WOMEN’S PINNACLE

Although much can be said about female numbers across the board, when it comes to women’s football Broadbeach have done it better than anyone for years.

A “down” year in 2017 resulted in one of the best bounce-back seasons, with the Dolphins surprising everyone, especially favourites Southport, as they head towards the league title in 2018.

A job very well done, girls!

EAGLES SWOOP ON RESPECTED COACH

Broadbeach’s Megan Kehoe in action against Robina City. Picture: Glenn Hampson

TOO MANY NPL CLUBS

Gold Coast United, Mudgeeraba and Gold Coast Knights will all play NPL football in 2019. Can the city sustain so many elite pathways and franchises?

The answer is no. We are in no position quality-wise to try and push people through an elite level that are not up to standard.

Mudgeeraba’s women are proof of that.

WEEKLY GOLD COAST FOOTBALL REPORT CARD

MERGERS ON THE MENU

Throughout the week a few clubs have been discussing club mergers with one another for the 2019 season and beyond.

Some sight financial strains, club numbers, field space and conditions, and lack of leadership as the main reasons behind the moves.

This should have happened years ago, as the amount of clubs we have on the Coast is far too many.

Newcastle’s Lachlan Jackson and Gold Coast Knights’ Jarrod Kyle do battle in the FFA Cup on Tuesday night. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

EMOTIONAL DRAIN KNIGHTS’ NEXT DANGER

AN A-LEAGUE RETURN?

With a crowd of more than 2,000 at the Knights’ FFA Cup game midweek, are we on track for developing another A-League or second-tier competition level team on the Coast?

We are moving in the right direction as a collective, but it shows that Gold Coast United’s bid for the A-League was simply a great marketing move with very little support behind it.