Queenslander
30-04-07, 04:13 PM
Titans Keeping it Tight in Smartland
(http://qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=2889)
http://www.qrl.com.au/images_lib/SmartlendCup.jpg
By Chris Garry
THE GOLD Coast's Smartlend Cup is providing a tighter competition then ever before in 2007, and operations manager Tom Marzella says it is largely due to the advent of NRL newcomers the Titans.
Highly skilled players from Queensland and northern New South Wales are now playing in the competition, hoping strong performances can get them noticed by the Titans.
Marzella states that the quality of play being exhibited has improved markedly.
?It (Gold Coast joining the NRL) has definitely helped us,? said Marzella.
?Players that previously would have played in Brisbane are now returning to the Gold Coast because they know there?s a path towards the NRL."
The Smartlend Cup is proving to be an enthralling contest this year, with greater player depth, unpredictable results and last year's premiers, Burleigh, struggling towards the bottom of the ladder.
?There?s a nice mixture of teams in the draw now and any team is able to beat the other on their day,? said Marzella.
Competition cellar dwellers Currumbin Tugun, a feeder team to QLD Wizard Cup side Tweed Heads Seagulls, even notched their first win on the weekend, beating Runaway Bay 22 -18.
?Currumbin has a lot of 18 and 19-year-olds and they were doing it a bit tough at the start trying to compete with senior players, but they?ll come good,? said Marzella.
The only dominant team in the competition is Tugun, who went through last year's regular season undefeated and has a clean record again in 2007. Still, Marzella tips that wont last long.
?I think Southport is a fair chance of beating Tugun this weekend.?
?Southport has ex-Wizard Cup player Chris Horsfall who is playing really well this year.?
Beyond increased player depth and tighter results, the most pleasing aspect of the 2007 season for Marzella is the surprise form of rookie club Ormeau.
?They?ve done a lot better then I expected this year. Their player depth is good and they managed to get kids who would normally play for Beenleigh into their side, and that?s probably a Titans influence.?
www.qrl.com.au
(http://qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=2889)
http://www.qrl.com.au/images_lib/SmartlendCup.jpg
By Chris Garry
THE GOLD Coast's Smartlend Cup is providing a tighter competition then ever before in 2007, and operations manager Tom Marzella says it is largely due to the advent of NRL newcomers the Titans.
Highly skilled players from Queensland and northern New South Wales are now playing in the competition, hoping strong performances can get them noticed by the Titans.
Marzella states that the quality of play being exhibited has improved markedly.
?It (Gold Coast joining the NRL) has definitely helped us,? said Marzella.
?Players that previously would have played in Brisbane are now returning to the Gold Coast because they know there?s a path towards the NRL."
The Smartlend Cup is proving to be an enthralling contest this year, with greater player depth, unpredictable results and last year's premiers, Burleigh, struggling towards the bottom of the ladder.
?There?s a nice mixture of teams in the draw now and any team is able to beat the other on their day,? said Marzella.
Competition cellar dwellers Currumbin Tugun, a feeder team to QLD Wizard Cup side Tweed Heads Seagulls, even notched their first win on the weekend, beating Runaway Bay 22 -18.
?Currumbin has a lot of 18 and 19-year-olds and they were doing it a bit tough at the start trying to compete with senior players, but they?ll come good,? said Marzella.
The only dominant team in the competition is Tugun, who went through last year's regular season undefeated and has a clean record again in 2007. Still, Marzella tips that wont last long.
?I think Southport is a fair chance of beating Tugun this weekend.?
?Southport has ex-Wizard Cup player Chris Horsfall who is playing really well this year.?
Beyond increased player depth and tighter results, the most pleasing aspect of the 2007 season for Marzella is the surprise form of rookie club Ormeau.
?They?ve done a lot better then I expected this year. Their player depth is good and they managed to get kids who would normally play for Beenleigh into their side, and that?s probably a Titans influence.?
www.qrl.com.au