BURLEIGH coach Zane Doubleday is realistic enough to recognize a significant challenge coming up for his Bombers in the new Pineapple Hotel Cup competition.
Terry Wilson
Gold Coast Bulletin
Coming off a 2011 campaign that produced only four wins and a finish of eighth, circumstances at Bill Godfrey Oval indicate an even tougher time ahead for the Bombers, although Doubleday is doing his best to make his youngish side competitive.
It is way too early for talk of doom and gloom, Doubleday insists.
“At the moment we’re probably in a similar position to last year,” he said.
“Our full-strength side will be competitive but if we have a few injuries it’s going to test our depth.”
That is Burleigh in a nutshell because, as Doubleday said, the Bombers have had lots o losses, but very few gains in playing personnel.
Somehow the Bombers have to cover for the losses of Tom Sutherland, Matt Jamieson, Luke Rowe and the retired Aaron Pianta.
Goalsneak Nathan Sullivan probably will not play until round four or five after knee surgery.
“It’s way too early for all that doom and gloom stuff,” said Doubleday.
“We’ll wait until a few rounds in because that’s when we’ll know roughly where we’re at.
“Up to now it has been hard getting a good indication of our best 22 because we’ve switched so many players around in practice matches.
“But we definitely are expecting an improvement in our young kids. Then, again, I guess it all depends on how much they improve.”
