Granty
14-09-2005, 07:03 AM
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16598425%255E14793,00.html
Young Guns' inexperience cause for concern
By ADAM GARDINI
14sep05
YOUNG Guns captain Daniel Strickland says Burleigh's wealth of big-match experience 'sways things in their favour' ahead of Saturday's Queensland Cup grand final at Suncorp Stadium.
The Young Guns have ridden a wave of momentum to qualify for the grand final as red-hot favourites.
They have not tasted defeat in 14 consecutive matches stretching back to round seven in April.
Strickland said the Young Guns had the benefit of a handful of NRL-hardened players.
But he said the North Queenslanders could not match the big-game experience of Burleigh, who have played in the last three grand finals.
Strickland himself admits to being a newcomer to playing in September.
He missed out on the Cowboys' maiden appearance in the finals last season.
"They love the big matches, they love that environment," Strickland said of the defending premiers.
"I think that probably sways things in their favour.
"Even I can't really profess to know exactly how it's going to be."
But Strickland acknowledged the Young Guns would have benefitted somewhat from the experience in the 22-6 major-semi final victory over Burleigh a fortnight ago.
"You can't replicate what's going to happen in a grand final," he said.
"But I think the semi-final goes a long way towards getting the feeling of what the game is going to be like."
The Young Guns will be acknowledged for their achievement with a grand final dinner for players and their partners at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.
YOUNG GUNS:Jason Barsley, Neil Sweeney, David Myles, Gavin Cooper, Dean Payne, Shane Muspratt, Brent McConnell, Jaiman Lowe, Clint Amos, Matthew Scott, Mark Dalle Cort, Daniel Strickland (c), Leigh McWilliams. Interchange: Rory Bromley, Scott Bolton, Wallace Solomona, Jimmy Anderson. Coach: Grant Bell.
BURLEIGH:Reggie Cressbrook, Balin Cupples, Nick Shaw, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam Hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown (c), Ryan Gundry, Shane O'Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchison, Adrian Vowles. Interchange: James Griffiths, Jeremy Lateo, Chris Barnes, Robert Apanui. Coach: Rick Stone.
Young Guns' inexperience cause for concern
By ADAM GARDINI
14sep05
YOUNG Guns captain Daniel Strickland says Burleigh's wealth of big-match experience 'sways things in their favour' ahead of Saturday's Queensland Cup grand final at Suncorp Stadium.
The Young Guns have ridden a wave of momentum to qualify for the grand final as red-hot favourites.
They have not tasted defeat in 14 consecutive matches stretching back to round seven in April.
Strickland said the Young Guns had the benefit of a handful of NRL-hardened players.
But he said the North Queenslanders could not match the big-game experience of Burleigh, who have played in the last three grand finals.
Strickland himself admits to being a newcomer to playing in September.
He missed out on the Cowboys' maiden appearance in the finals last season.
"They love the big matches, they love that environment," Strickland said of the defending premiers.
"I think that probably sways things in their favour.
"Even I can't really profess to know exactly how it's going to be."
But Strickland acknowledged the Young Guns would have benefitted somewhat from the experience in the 22-6 major-semi final victory over Burleigh a fortnight ago.
"You can't replicate what's going to happen in a grand final," he said.
"But I think the semi-final goes a long way towards getting the feeling of what the game is going to be like."
The Young Guns will be acknowledged for their achievement with a grand final dinner for players and their partners at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.
YOUNG GUNS:Jason Barsley, Neil Sweeney, David Myles, Gavin Cooper, Dean Payne, Shane Muspratt, Brent McConnell, Jaiman Lowe, Clint Amos, Matthew Scott, Mark Dalle Cort, Daniel Strickland (c), Leigh McWilliams. Interchange: Rory Bromley, Scott Bolton, Wallace Solomona, Jimmy Anderson. Coach: Grant Bell.
BURLEIGH:Reggie Cressbrook, Balin Cupples, Nick Shaw, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam Hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown (c), Ryan Gundry, Shane O'Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchison, Adrian Vowles. Interchange: James Griffiths, Jeremy Lateo, Chris Barnes, Robert Apanui. Coach: Rick Stone.