New Currumbin coach Martin Griese discusses plans for 2020 Rugby League Gold Coast season

New Currumbin coach Martin Griese says he will simply try to apply the “finishing touches” to the work of Ryan Gundry next season as the Eagles usher in a new era at Galleon Way.

NEW Currumbin coach Martin Griese says he will simply try to apply the “finishing touches” to the work of Ryan Gundry next season as the Eagles usher in a new era at Galleon Way.

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After two seasons as A grade assistant to Gundry, Griese has taken on the top job this year as Currumbin fight to improve on preliminary final appearances in 2018 and 2019.

While Gundry has reunited with Burleigh Intrust Super Cup coach Rick Stone as an assistant, Griese will have the chance to build on a coaching resume that already includes premiership success with Tugun in 2016.

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Gundry’s three-year stint as Eagles coach also featured a maiden senior club championship in 2018 and Griese said he would not need to reinvent the wheel in the looming Rugby League Gold Coast campaign.

“A lot of it is not going to change. (Ryan) created something that is pretty special with some good support from the board and volunteers so I’m just trying to put the finishing touches on what he’s been creating the last few years,” Griese, 39, said.

New Currumbin coach Martin Griese with outgoing Eagles coach Ryan Gundry. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s a good opportunity (for me), the club has come a long way in the last 2-3 years. They used to struggle but now they’re one of the strongest clubs.

“They’ve got a good junior base there so that seemed to fit with my beliefs and what I want to do in coaching. I really enjoy helping the younger kids come through, having some to do with development and watching them progress from A grade to Q Cup and NRL so if I can have a role in that, that’s great.

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“We’ve been blooding a few of those younger guys (the last two seasons). I think we’ll be pretty strong this year again.”

Griese and Gundry tasted premiership glory together under Stone in Burleigh’s ISC side of 2004 and the latter’s departure is not the only one from the Eagles nest.

Experienced pair Phil Ramage and Blake Morrison have both retired, while Daniel Mortimer will captain-coach junior club Orange CYMS this year.

“It is (sad to see Gundry go) but it’s good for him as well. That’s what you try and help someone do,” Griese, who racked up 146 ISC games with Burleigh, said.

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“Me and Ryan used to play Q Cup back in the day and Stoney was our coach in 2004 when we won the comp. They’re pretty close so I knew as soon as Stoney got the gig (at Burleigh for 2020) Ryan may go.

“But our phone’s are always on to each other.”