STRUGGLING Springwood were trying to keep it under wraps, but they are expected to unleash former Brisbane Lions midfielder Albert Proud on Palm Beach-Currumbin at Lowe Oval.
By Terry Wilson
Gold Coast Bulletin
Under normal circumstances, this clash was one expected to serve as a significant percentage booster for the second-placed Lions, but off-field issues have changed things dramatically.
Given that PBC are minus seven regulars five of them with the Country Stockmen for the rep match against Cairns in far north Queensland news from the Puma camp is that Proud has been cleared from NEAFL club Mt Gravatt.
Paperwork clearing the former Brisbane Lion (29 AFL games) to Mt Gravatt along with ex-Vulture Ethan Reading was completed yesterday, according to Pumas football manager Adrian Wallin.
The Pumas have lured Proud with the offer of an apprenticeship after the midfielder fell out of favor with Mt Gravatt officials recently
Still, even with Proud on board, the Pumas are like PBC and are missing a number of regulars for the Jack Pekin Shield, struck in honour of former Lion and Puma stalwart John Pekin.
PBC have Ryan and Brad Hards, Angus Munro, Michael I’Anson and Jake Smart playing for the Stockmen, while Aaron Lohrey and Bryce Perry-Bolt are out with hamstring strains.
The Lions elected to blood two 18-year-olds Josh Hay and Mitch Bury and promoted other youngsters Tyson and Bryce Dyer, Jesse Brown, Brent Pearson and Jordan Bates
“Out situation should make any talk of a percentage booster very much null and void,” PBC coach Daryn Cresswell said before hearing of Proud’s signing with Springwood.
“It gives our younger players the chance to sample senior footy and the opportunity to cement their spots.”
New Springwood coach Tony Smith learned quickly the task ahead of him to get the Pumas competitive, especially after the hiding they copped from Maroochydore last weekend.
“We’re know there’s a long way to go for us, but all we can do is do our best and try to keep on improving,” he said.
“It’s like a revolving door, this competition; it’s hard to get your best team out on the park.
“As a club we have to improve our brand, our style we need to be more positive on the field.
“We had eight out last week and we’ve jagged a couple more since.”
The Pumas have lost centre half-back Blake Wallis, Josh Mitchell and Braiden Webb this week.
Winless Burleigh have the tough trip to Chelmer to tackle ladder leaders Western Magpies today.
And they have to do it without in-form rover Matt O’Brien, who faces a month out with an injured shoulder.
Because of a number of injuries, the Bombers are not expected to finalise their side until match morning.
The Magpies are well represented in the Country Stockmen, but still should boast far too much firepower for the Bombers.
Maroochydore face an interesting trip down to the Gold Coast to play Coolangatta at Len Peak Oval on Sunday.
After a heartening win against Sandgate last round, the Roos are starting to look like the improvers most good judges had been tipping, although news from the Sunshine Coast is that they are without a number of players who had pre-booked holidays over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Coolangatta themselves have at least five changes with new faces in the team including Nick Lock, Kapun Morris, Josh McCleary and Ryan Bullis.
Morris is a former Southport junior and senior player who loves to run from defence.
Mayne are at home to Noosa in a game that is vitally important to both sides. They each have 5 wins and will be desperate to steal the 4 break. Mayne show last round that they can hold their own with any side in the competition when they lead the Lions at every change but fell in a hole in the last term surrendering a 22 lead allowing Palm Beach to kick 6 unanswered goals in the final quarter.
Noosa on the other hand had a massive win over Springwood and will be full of confidence however they will miss Owen Bailey and Gun Full forward Danny Brewster who are both in Cairns with the Stockmens Squad.
Give that this a being played at Everton Mayne will start as slight favorites but it will be a close one.
The Hawks are at home to the Gorillas and they will be hoping that their woe full performance against the Roos last week has been well and truly left at Fisherman’s rd. The fact that they failed to kick a 2nd half goal would have been a big talking point at training this week.
Both sides loose players to the Rep game with Mathew Trewhella and Steve Brittain out of the Gorillas with Sandgate loosing the top ruckman in Brendan Forbes.
Both sides have made 4 changes, given that these two teams always put up a great show this will be a tough hard encounter and should remain close all day, the Gorillas will start favorites but the Hawks will be full of fight.
