Tugun Seahawks coach Clint Barends says his team need to lift if they are going to play finals

Tugun coach Clint Barends insists luck has had no part in his side’s shock winless start to the Rugby League Gold Coast season.

TUGUN coach Clint Barends insists luck has had no part in his side’s shock winless start to the Rugby League Gold Coast season.

The Seahawks were tipped for big things this year after an outstanding recruitment drive over the summer but have lost their opening three matches.

All three have been to teams expected to feature in finals – Burleigh, Runaway Bay and Currumbin – and on each occasion, the winning margin has been eight points or less, the most recent being their 22-14 loss to the Eagles on Saturday.

However, Barends was blunt in assessing that his team have got what they have deserved.

“To be honest I think the scorelines have been a bit flattering to us, particularly (on Saturday),” he said.

Tugun Seahawks coach Clint Barends. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I thought Currumbin were well in front of us – they looked better with the footy, they looked better coming out of trouble. They played a tougher brand of footy.

“In the game against Runaway Bay too, I thought Runaway Bay were the better team.

“We’re just not clicking at the moment, we’re not playing very good footy but we’ll turn it around.”

The longer 21-round regular season does mean time is on their side.

“We won’t panic,” Barends said.

“(The players) will be disappointed. That’s three in a row, sometimes you might start to question it, but when they look around and see the calibre of player in their side I think they know that it can change.

Seahawks players Sam Meskell and Nick Harrold make a tackle against Runaway Bay. Picture: Mike Batterham

“If we fix up a few fundamentals then we can get back on track. We have just got to have a bit more ball control and a bit more desire.

“Whether we win or lose – we need to win, don’t get me wrong – but if we can just start to play some better footy we’ll be heading in the right direction.”

The Seahawks weren’t helped against Currumbin by a first half hamstring injury to hooker Sam Meskell. They have Ethan Roberts in their squad to cover the No.9 jersey, with Meskell hoped to be back on deck after the Easter weekend off.

In Sunday action, Southport burst Ormeau’s bubble with a 38-8 victory at Brien Harris Oval. Burleigh meanwhile accounted for Bilambil 28-12.