The Brisbane Lions Cup has proved to be a vital stepping stone in the pathway to the AFL for young Queenslanders in recent years and this season looks to be no different.
The upcoming game between rivals Palm Beach Currumbin and Helensvale will be a tightly fought contest. Even though Helensvale turned the tables in the final last year, PBC have had it over their fellow Gold Coasters in recent times and will look to continue that when the teams meet on Monday.
Helensvale coach Simon Foat is looking forward to the contest and knows that it will be important to keep the team switched on.
âPalm Beach Currumbin are always a strong team. Apart from the final that we beat them in last year they had lost a game in a few years,â Foat said.
âIt will be a good challenge for some of the younger guys and we will have to keep our mind on the job.â
Palm Beach Currumbin coach Neil Mackay is also expecting a big game, and is hoping for a full list to choose from after the weekendâs club matches.
âHelensvale are looking good again, especially their 16 year old level,â he said.
âHopefully the boys come through their club matches without any injuries and we can have a good crackâ¦it will be a tough game.â
The formation of GC17 has given graduates of the excellence programs a direct route to the AFL level, with previous Helensvale students Rory Thomson, Daniel Ramage and Hamish Watts as well as PBC boys Mark Lock, Tyler Green and Tyler Rolfe all going on to the Gold Coast franchise.
This year looks no different, with special interest being shown in Matt Palmer, Sam Robertson and Adam Oehlman from the PBC camp, and Dalton Tucker, Wyatt Bacon and Ryan Kiel showing promise from Helensvale.
The Division 2 final will be held on the 13th of May at the Surfers Paradise home ground between Benowa and Merrimac High Schools, and the Division 3 contest will be fought out between Corinda and Kedron High Schools at Coorparoo on the 18th of May.
Last Modified on 11/05/2009 09:10