Bears Captain Callan Burgess Sees “Playing for Each Other” Is Key to Success
Following the Bears Harold Matthews win over the Dragons last weekend we speak to Bears Coach Peter Palmer and Bears captain Callan Burgess about the win, hurdles they have had to deal with and their run to the finals.
Coach Peter Palmer Both Relieved and Hopeful After Win
Question: How are you feeling after that hard fought win?
Peter Palmer [Coach]: Feeling relieved! We’ve come really close in the past few weeks. We’ve had some pretty close encounters and to finally get the win it’s just a sense of relief for me.
Q: what do you think won the day for the Bears?
PP: Just determination. The heartbreak losses we’ve had in the previous weeks, a draw, lost by 2, lost by 4 and that’s not including the Parramatta game, it really has been backs against the wall stuff.
We’ve got seven players unavailable at the moment, and we have players playing out of position.
We’ve got second rowers on the wing, centres playing in hooker. Our hooker pulled out last night with a virus. So it was just the guy’s determination to win.
We’ve got a really good feeling in the playing group at the moment the guys just want to play for each other, and when you’ve got that feeling in the squad, these wins make it so much more special.
Q: there was a reshuffle prior to the match. How does the team deal with that disruption?
PP: We’ve got a little catchcry “everyone must be prepared to dig in.” Any player that comes into the squad no matter what position they’ve just got to be prepared to dig in and do their job. This is what we are living by at the moment and that’s why we are getting the results we are.
Q: is there anybody that you want to single out?
PP: Someone like Matthew Canning has been outstanding for us! He was given an opportunity three weeks ago through injury to come into our squad, and he got man of the match again today!Callan Burgess, once again I can not wrap that guy enough. He’s a player of the future for this club I think.
Callan Burgess, once again I can not wrap that guy enough. He’s a player of the future for this club I think.Then there’s Nick Russell. Being a year young and playing up, and defending in the hooker position he’s been outstanding for us.
Then there’s Nick Russell. Being a year young and playing up, and defending in the hooker position he’s been outstanding for us.
Q: looking forward we still have more matches to go?
PP: Yes we have the Dogs next week, and then we’ve got a catch-up match against Illawarra, and then we play Parramatta. We still believe we can win two of those games, and still, scrape into the finals.We get four players back next week, Billy Pollard,
We get four players back next week, Billy Pollard, Alomax Siitia, Tevita Faupula and Isaac Papadatos. That actually strengthens our squad, and we believe we can beat the Bulldogs and come to a last round showdown against Illawarra or Parramatta and get into those finals. That’ll be a great achievement if we can do that.
That’ll be a great achievement if we can do that.
Bears Captain Callan Burgess Egar to Rip in, Sees Playing for Each Other Is the Key to Success
Question: How are you feeling after that match?
Callan Burgess [Captain]: Very excited! It was great to get the win out there. The excitement meter is on full, and we’re ready to rip in again. A win again next week would be great.
Q: There was a reshuffle before the match not something new to the team how did you boys work through that?
CB: Just be prepared to dig in. Getting everyone to know their role out on the field. Even if you have been shuffled in and given another role, we roll everyone through their sets to give them a chance to know what’s required. Once everyone is clear, we’re good to go.
Q: What do you think did it for the Bears today?
CB: Just tough footy, being tough out there, pushing up on the line. Playing for each other not just yourself, not being a selfish player.
Q: It’s been a while trying to get a win how does it feel looking forward to the rest of the matches?
CB: Definitely is exciting out there! Apparently the first win since about 2015. Just ready to rip in again. Just want to get a couple more wins for the season and make everyone proud.
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS 18 (tries: Lochlan Trimboli, Jacob Preston, Nicholas Russell, conversions: Nicholas Russell 3)
defeated ST GEORGE DRAGONS 14 (tries: Rodrick Ahoy, Destiny Nuuasoa, Soakimi Folaumoeloa, conversion: Soakimi Folaumoeloa).
FINAL TEAM
1 Spiro Psiroukis
2 Jamin Miller
3 Noor Ammoun
18 Lochlan Trimboli
5 Aiden Brophy
6 Jake Preston
7 Ali Chara
11 Callan Burgess (C)
4 Nick Russell
10 Matt Canning
16 Joji Duwai
12 Jayden Tamala
13 Brad Michael
Interchange
8 Kelvin Euta
14 Tyrese Walker
15 Flynn Isaacs
20 Saupo Aigamaua
