BURLEIGH BEARS v EASTS TIGERS
Pizzey Park Sunday, May 29 ? 3pm
The experienced Shane Neumann is set to return in the centres and Dane Chisholm will move from the wing to the five-eighth role in two key changes for the Tigers. Burleigh coach Paul Bramley doesn?t have the luxury of being able to make many positional changes as his first priority is to find 17 fit players. This year, the Bears have been hammered, with the club hit by its worst injury crisis in 12 seasons. The Bears have 10 established players not available for selection this week, and collectively these players have played more than 600 Queensland Cup games. The players include Brad Cross (out for the season), Martin Griese (1 week), Marty Mitchell (2 weeks), Scott Smith (10 weeks), Kurt Sorensen (6 weeks) and Richie Williams (indefinite). ?You cannot lose that much experience and not expect it to have an effect on your performances,? Bramley said. ?I must have smashed a mirror while walking under a ladder as I have never experienced so many injuries at the one time.? If there is one positive, it has been the opportunity to blood some young players, with nine of the players taking the field this week under the age of 22.