Nine A Side competition at Pizzey Park tomorrow to form key part of Burleigh’s A grade title defence

It will count for little come September but Burleigh coach Matt Foster insists tomorrow’s 9 A Side competition at Pizzey Park will play a crucial role in his side’s A grade title defence.

IT will count for little come September but Burleigh coach Matt Foster insists tomorrow’s 9 A Side competition at Pizzey Park will play a crucial role in his side’s A grade title defence.

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Rugby League Gold Coast’s top-flight premiers in 2019, the Bears will step up pre-season preparations when they battle seven other teams for the nine-a-side crown and $5000 prizemoney from noon.

Foster’s men will be joined by Tugun, Southport and the Cook Islands in one pool, with teams from The Rapana Academy, Helensvale, Ormeau and Lismore’s Marist Brothers Rams in the other.

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The tournament, which coincides with the opening weekend of the Intrust Super Cup, will be followed by Bears trials against Marist Brothers, Currumbin and Mudgeeraba and Foster said he would be pulling no punches despite the modified format.

Burleigh halfback Conner Toia. Picture: Steve Holland

“It’s certainly important, there’s a lot of levels to its importance,” Foster said of the carnival.

“First and foremost is the boys playing footy and the enjoyment of getting out on the park. The nines format, it’s a chance to let them loose and have a bit of fun.

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“You can see the flair of individuals without much structure. The other thing for Burleigh is that there are players that are going to miss out on playing Q Cup (ISC) so they need to be playing regularly in case they’re needed next week.”

The final will be played at 6.20pm. Entry is $7.