Gulls plan to erect fortress

COACH Ben Anderson couldn’t think of a better way for the Tweed Heads Seagulls to kick off their Queensland Cup campaign than with a home game at Ned Byrne Field tomorrow afternoon.

The pre-season is complete, the stage is set and the team is amped to tackle the Redcliffe Dolphins.

The Seagulls are ready to ruffle some feathers.

“What a fantastic way to kick off the year,” Anderson said.

“The boys are jumping out of their skins to get out there.

“They’ve worked hard and come a long way during the (four-month) pre-season.

“Now they’re just looking forward to putting some points on the board.”

New to the club in 2010, Anderson has plans in place to restore Seagulls to their former glory.

At Wednesday’s season launch in Brisbane, an ABC commentator made the statement “it’s never an easy game against Seagulls”. His words struck a chord with Anderson.

“I took what he said back to training and told the boys how I felt about it,” he said.

“I took pride in his words because he’s right, these boys will never lie down.

“They always give 100 per cent and that’s what you want as a coach.

“We want Tweed Heads to be known as a tough and feared road trip.”

They open the season against perennial powerhouse Redcliffe, who, after slipping from regular finalists to one off the wooden spoon in 2009, will be looking to launch 2010 with a bang.

However, Anderson believes the boys in the butcher’s stripes are prepared for whatever they may throw at them.

“Redcliffe is always a strong club and I’m sure they’ll be tough,” he said.

“But we’re ready for them.

“We’re very fit and physical this year and have several experienced game breakers in Brad Davis and the likes to lead the boys around.

“We haven’t quite gelled in attack yet, but they’ll struggle to crack our defence.

“It’s a matter of getting out there and putting it all together.”

Gold Coast Titans squad members Selasi Berdie, Shannon Walker and Will Matthews will be on deck for the Seagulls when the action gets under way at 4pm (Colts 12.45pm and FOGS 2.15pm – all DST).

SEAGULLS

1. Shannon Walker

2. Cameron White

3. Kingi Akauola

4. James Wood

5. Dominique Peyroux

6. Brad Davis

7. Tim Maccan

8. Brock Hunter

9. Aaron Pawley

10. Jake Leary

11. Tom Kingston

12. Selasi Birdie

13. Ryan Simpkins

Interchange

14. Richie Barrett

15. Matt O’Reilly

16. Ryan Milligan

17. Yulu McGrady

18. Will Mathews (*One to be omitted)