“I’d just like to sing the team [victory] song one more time.”
Departing coach Aaron Zimmerle has two more games left as Romano Group Seagulls Intrust Super Cup coach and the man who has bled for the club as a player and given his heart and soul for five seasons as a coach, taking the side to the finals in 2014, is hellbent on some glory at Piggabeen before he finishes.
And he knows today’s clash at Piggabeen Sports Complex against Northern Pride, who stand two points above the Seagulls on the competition ladder, is like grand final at the bottom of the table.
Victory could put the Gulls above CQ Capras (who play Souths Logan away) going into the final round against leaders PNG Hunters.
“It is like a grand final for us; we’re busted a bit but we’re motivated; we don’t want to come last,” he said. “And we have plenty of players who are ready to take this opportunity.”
The Gulls go into the clash without ISC regulars like Michael Burgess, Sam Saville, Ben Nakabuwai, Carne Doyle-Mangan, Eddy Pettybourne and Keegan Hipgrave (all injured except Nakabuwai who was elevated to make his NRL debut for the Titans on Thursday).
The Pride have won only one of their past 11 matches while the Gulls have beaten the Hunters, second-placed Redcliffe and the Capras in that period. Yet form has been inconsistent.
While Tweed have been forced to use 41 players this season, it has given some up-and-comers opportunity and that will be the situation again today.
Gold Coast representative Shem Vaoa returns after several weeks out, and Jarrod Morfett has been elevated to join Vaoa as starting props.
Jordan Aiono and Sione Alofi, who have been in consistent outstanding form in A grade, also get their chance in the ISC.
Today marks a big occasion for veteran centre James Wood too. Wood stands on 107 ISC tries, second only to former Gulls winger and good mate Nathaneal Barnes on 108 as the most for any player in the 1SC. Wood already holds the record for most by any player for the same club.
The game will be televised on Channel 9 at 1.40pm and the Gulls have performed well on TV this season –in the last two times their games were broadcast they beat the Dolphins and Capras, and earlier in the season led Wynnum Manly 18-0 in atrocious conditions on North Stradbroke Island before being narrowly beaten.
Today’s team (1.40pm kick-off) is:
Jayden Baker, Brayden McGrady, James Wood, Regan Muir, Peter Lee, Lindon McGrady. Phoenix Hunapo, Shem Vaoa, Sam Meskell (capt), Jarrod Morfett, Lamar Liolevave, Tristan Lumley, Nick Harrold. Interchange: Will Johnstone, Sam Carson, Jordan Aiono,Sione Alofi.
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