Revealed: Rugby League Gold Coast Team of the Season
Six clubs have been rewarded with selections in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Rugby League Gold Coast A grade team of the season.
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The season is done and dusted and new legends have been born in Rugby League Gold Coast folklore.
Runaway Bay were deserving champions after an undefeated season and have been duly rewarded with six selections in the Bulletin’s Rugby League Gold Coast team of the season.
All seven coaches in the competition were polled to find the most worthy selections.
These are the players they have chosen to honour.
GRAND FINAL WEEK COVERAGE
■ ‘He’s the best fullback in the comp’: Mackin leads Bay into final
■ Legendary Titan’s son out to snap Dad’s Cbus finals record
■ The grand final lessons Runaway Bay can never forget
■ ‘Hope you know I’m a good person’: Haunting final text fuels GF dream
1. JOHN ‘JACK’ MACKIN
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “2020 was probably his best season to date. He’s been the best player in the side for years and so he’s often had to try to do too much. Having a quality roster around this year meant he could fly under the radar. He goes about his job and he’s been our best player this year.”
2. CURTIS DANSEY-SMALLER
Southport Tigers
The Western Australian-born winger is 193 centimetres tall and at 22 years ago is still growing into his frame. Dansey-Smaller made a big impact since joining his former Tweed Seagulls Under-20s coach and manager Steve Dowd at Southport.
3. LEE TURNER
Southport Tigers
The former South Sydney and Warriors centre joined Tweed Seagulls three years ago and when not required by the Intrust Super Cup club has been a try-scoring fixture in the Tigers backline.
4. ONO SO’OIALO
Ormeau Shearers
Coach Peri Creamer: “His attacking flair was second to none. Because he was a bit smaller and lighter he offered more at the back than Kurtis Rowe. He’s a very energetic ball-runner with quick, light feet. Fullback is his key position but he’s an exceptional talent. He wasn’t at his best fitness with COVID so imagine how much better he could be.”
5. JAYDEN CAMPBELL
Burleigh Bears
Coach Matt Foster: “Jayden got an injury early which inhibited his year until Round Seven. He gained valuable experience playing against men. He’s a quality athlete with good footwork who’s only going to be better for the experience he had this year. He’s the kind of player you get the ball as much as possible. Create a little bit of space and he’ll do some damage.”
6. WILL BRIMSON
Mudgeeraba Redbacks
Coach Wayne Forbes: “Will’s been inspirational. He’s come from Tweed Seagulls as one of the portability players we had. The knowledge and experience and the way he fitted in made it better for everyone. As a bonus he passes really well. He has both dimensions but his preference was as a ball-running half.”
7. GUY HAMILTON
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “None of this (Grand Final-winning season) is possible without Guy. He’s bought into our team but also the club. Whether you’re an Under-18 at training or the most experienced bloke he gets around you. He loves footy, can’t say enough about the bloke. What he’s done for us, you can’t buy that. Easily the competition’s best player.”
8. HARRISON MULLER
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “He’s a country boy from Orange.and the toughest player I’ve ever coached. He does all the s*** work and you never hear him complain. Loves footy. The thing is he’s been in a few systems and knows what to do. You don’t have to have huge muscles to be good footballer, you just have to be tough physically and mentally. I haven’t come across a tougher footballer.”
9. JORDAN SCOTT
Burleigh Bears
Coach Matt Foster: “The ultimate competitior. A leader through his actions, defensively strong and very smart in guiding his team around the park. Definitely a strong defender and his competitive edge sets him apart as well. Doesn’t want to lose at anything.”
10. ANDREW PETAIA
Ormeau Shearers
Coach Peri Creamer: “He’s the best prop in the comp pound for pound. He can play 80 minutes. Not the biggest forward but his footwork at the line is top notch. It’s how he makes most of his breaks. He makes breaks and scores tries with his footwork. People line him up and in a skip he’s through sideways. He’s not a run it straight player which is why he’s so effective,”
11. LUKE BURTON
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “Burto is only 21, he’s a young kid from Canberra who enjoyed the party life a bit too much last year. Lots of boys, including Guy Hamtilon, said he could be a full-time Cup or NRL player if he took it a bit more seriously. He’s got a Mrs now and he’s back playing good footy and that’s been the difference for him. He’s looking after his body better and he’s something very exciting for anyone who can have him.”
12. LAMAR LIOLEVAVE
Southport Tigers
The former Fijian international didn’t miss his chance to return to his junior club when COVID-19 ruled out the prospect of a full season with the Tweed Seagulls. Liolevave’s powerful play made him a standout performer all season. At 24 he still has time to play at a higher level.
13. LOCHLYN SHELDON
Burleigh Bears
Coach Matt Foster: “Great footwork, low centre of gravity helps finds a quick play of the ball. A very smart middle who has good hands. He knows which defenders to get on and where to line up on the field. His footwork can break open a defensive line. I think he has Queensland Cup potential at the back end of next year. With some physical development there’s a great opportunity. His biggest challenge is the pack who’s in front of him. Will have to be patient but has the attributes to be a great lock.”
14. COLE GEYER
Currumbin Eagles
Coach Martin Griese: “He scored a lot of tries, scoring in every game and a few doubles and a hat-trick. He’s a running hooker, that’s his first instinct. He’s very deceptive. If you looked at him you wouldn’t think he was so fast but as soon as he hits space he’s gone. He spent this pre-season down with the Melbourne Storm, came back and you could tell he’d shadowed Cameron Smith. Lots of similar mannerisms. He’s good in the wrestle, very calm. Takes his time and he’s calculated. He’s very Smith-like.”
15. DORYAAN HAPE APIATA
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “I’ve coached him and I’ve coached against him, when he’s on everyone has to be around the ball. When you’ve got it you have to stay clear of Doryaan. Most blokes who’ve played against him have been flattened. With what he’s gone through this year with his teeth, losing his cousin Jah, those could have thrown blokes away from footy. He plays through more injuries than most think because he’s such a big target that he takes the most damage. Physically no one gets more of a workover than ‘Doors.”
16. NICK RITTER
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coach Nick Gleeson: “A bit like Harrison Muller, he’s tough. Real hard on everyone and also himself. Hates losing in anything. Competes on everything, high standards. He’s come from good systems. This was his fifth straight grand final. He’s been around, he’s experienced. Ballina is keen to get him back but we’ll do our best (to keep him). His commitment to us has been huge. He doesn’t play for money, if he’s happy he’ll stay. All those blokes who’ve made our team compete on everything.”
17. BROCK HAMILL
Southport Tigers
It’s a tackling style that has gone out of fashion in rugby league but someone has forgotten to tell Southport’s Brock Hamill. His low-chopping around the legs tackling is reminiscent of Trevor Gillmeister. Hamill is strong as an ox and every good football teams needs a redhead.
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