Premiership-winning Bear Dean Allen discusses similarities between Burleigh’s 1999 squad and the class of 2019

AS Burleigh prepare for a shot at their second Intrust Super Cup title in four years, 1999 premiership winner Dean Allen discusses the similarities between this year’s squad and the heroes of 20 years ago.

AS Burleigh prepare for a shot at their second Intrust Super Cup title in four years, 1999 premiership winner Dean Allen discusses the similarities between this year’s squad and the heroes of 20 years ago.

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Fullbacks - Kurtis Rowe (2019) / Jamie Mahon (1999)

Both livewire fullbacks who can turn a game with one big tackle on the line or a line break from anywhere on the field. Jamie was man of the Match in the GF in ’99 and Kurtis could easily be the same this year.

Wingers - Tyrone Roberts-Davis (2019) / Reggie Cressbrook (1999)

Both can turn a game on its head in a moment scoring long range tries at will and have the habit of being in the right place at the right time. Both goal kickers too.

Former Burleigh star Reggie Cressbrook.

ANXIOUS BABY WAIT FOR BEAR BUCHANAN

Wingers - Troy Leo (2019) / Aaron Douglas (1999)

Both lightning quick and try scoring specialists. Both small in stature but are unstoppable in open space. Both play left wing.

Wingers - Anthony Don (2019) / Faron Anderson (1999)

Mr Reliable. They don’t make many errors, kicks get caught on the full, all tackles are made and, when given space, certain to score if the opportunities arise. You can trust them to make the right play just when you need it to happen. Both Right wingers.

Centres - Sami Sauiluma (2019) / Frank Napoli (1999)

Both players are dangerous one on one and rack up mountains of try assists for their outside men. Both had a taste of the NRL in the years prior to Burleigh and quickly established themselves as dominant left centres.

Burleigh’s premiership-winning 1999 side.

Centres - Josh Berkers (2019) / Darren Anderson (1999)

Both players are uncompromising in their approach. Will happily run an inside shoulder line direct over their opposition then bounce out on the next play. They will turn up down field on a chase and make that last tackle when you think your team is beat. Both right centres.

Five-eighths - Dylan Phythian (2019) / Craig Freer (1999)

Both control the dangerous left edges of their teams. When they are on - the team win games. Controlled short kicking games place defending teams under pressure and cause a number of repeat sets.

Five-eighths/utilities - Josh Rogers (2019) / Brock Anderson (1999)

Both played important roles in the halves throughout the season. Josh maybe a little more controlled than Brock but Brock’s running game teared teams a part.

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Burleigh captain Grant Adamson in 1999.

Halfbacks - Jamal Fogarty (2019) / Grant Adamson (1999)

The Bosses. They control everything on and off the field for the team. They are leaders people want play with, want to play for and want to hang around with after the games. Nothing happens on the field without them being involved.

Hookers - Pat Politoni (2019) / Ben Lythe (1999)

The barometers of theirs teams. When they play well the team wins. Dangerous out of dummy half, solid in defence and kicking game as good as any half in the comp. Arguably the best players in both squads.

Props - Jack Buchanan (2019) / Tony Priddle (1999)

Experienced front rowers with NRL backgrounds. Get through a mountain of work in both attack and defence. Always first to put their hand ups for the tough carries and the team relies on their quick play the balls to start sets. Integral in the team’s success.

Props - Luke Page (2019) / Justin Bryant (1999)

Actual lunatics on and off the field. They try and steamroll everyone in front of them whether with the ball or in defence. Crowd favourites due to their kamikaze like approach and lift their teams when required.

Props - Oliver Percy (2019) / Shane O’Flanagan (1999)

The meter makers. Hard to put down due to their size and make every hit up count. Solid in defence and workrate is massive for guys their size.

Props - Josh Ailaomai (2019) / Brad Middlebosch (1999)

Both massive units who are hard to handle. Aggressive runners who consistently come up with long runs when needed. If a player is standing in a tackle, they are the first to exposed a rib cage and help get them to the ground with force.

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Burleigh second-rower Api Noema-Matenga. Picture: Richard Gosling

Second-rowers - Api Noema-Matenga (2019) / Ali Brown (1999)

Tough, uncompromising and hard to handle. Late feet at the line finds them in space between defenders more often than not and deft little passing game keep their teammates interested to push up with them. When you are tackled by these two you stay hit.

Second-rowers - Matt Robinson (2019) / Bill Dunn (1999)

Workrates second to none. No nonsense approach to footy and control the middles in defence for both teams. Will come up with a line break when needed and one of the most consistent players in their teams.

Second-rowers - Hayden Schwass (2019) / Hamish Smith (1999)

Second rowers who make a habit of being in the right place at the right time and score tries. Running games are consistently great and place a heaps of pressure on the defenders opposite. Nothing gets by them in defence.

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Dean Allen with current Burleigh centre Josh Berkers. Picture: Tim Marsden

Second-rowers - Blake Leary (2019) / Dean Allen (1999)

The ball playing back rowers. Both happy to take a pivot roll when one of the halves get tackled and provide their outside men with opportunities with a pass or kick. Happily do their running roles and work hard in defence.

Locks - Sam Coster (2019) / Blair Tonkin (1999)

Back up dummy halves who fill into whatever position is required in their team. Both very fit and get through a heap of work in defence. Both quick for middle men and provide opportunities in the middle of the field with the ball.

Utility forwards - Jeff Lynch (2019) / Meti Noovao (1999)

Both come to the club with NRL experience. Workrates and aggression controls their games and can play either in the middle or the edge.