OPTIMISTIC Springwood coach Paul Opbroek is confident there will not be a repeat of events when the Pumas last tangled with Palm Beach-Currumbin.
By Terry Wilson
It was back in round seven, at PBC’s Salk Oval, that the Lions kicked 33.17 and won by 174 points – unquestionably Springwood’s bleakest afternoon of the season.
From that hiding lessons were learnt, said Opbroek, and he even revealed the Pumas are looking forward to challenging themselves again against one of the powerhouses of the Pineapple Hotel Cup.
“I think we’ve matured a bit since then,” he said. “We had a very young side in that day.
“But now we’re looking forward to it, against what I believe is the second best team in the competition. Palm Beach are giants – and they’re not sleeping any more.
“We were pretty good last weekend (against Western Magpies) and it was only the second quarter that let us down.”
In Springwood’s favour is that PBC forward Lee Clark is still out injured. He kicked eight goals in that round seven demolition.
Springwood have three changes, the omitted pair of Grant Jobson and Zac Minas, as well as skipper Shane Murrihy, who is scheduled to play reserves as he fights knee problems.
Into the side are forward Adrian Sipple, experienced defender Chris Moore and forward Nick Tronc.
Tronc, in for his seniors debut, is the son of Brisbane Broncos under-20s coach Scott Tronc, a former Queensland rugby league representative.
PBC, who will again be coached by Darren Beaufoy, have lost smart small forward Brad Hewat, replacing him with Jordan Bates.
Still to come into the Lions side in the run to the finals are Clark, Matt Carroll, David Round and Simeon Blowes, so competition for places in the top 22 is starting to hot up.
It will be a sentimental return of sorts for Beaufoy, who spent two seasons with Springwood as an under-14 and an under-15.
He had played at Coorparoo until then, but when that club could not field an under-14s side, he linked with the Pumas where he won a premiership and was best and fairest in 1989.
Beaufoy returned to Coorparoo to play under-17s.
All is going well for the Lions, who still have a great chance to snare a top-three finish for the finals.
“We’re gunning for third, so we have to get the boys going out with the same mindset every match and starting to prepare for the finals – going into every game flat out,” said Beaufoy.
“And there’s no doubt we expect Springwood to be much better this time around.”
