The Beaudesert Kingfishers opened their season with a 28–16 win over the Burleigh Bears, holding their nerve in the second half to secure victory in front of a strong home crowd.
The Kingfishers built a lead early in the match but were forced to withstand a period of pressure after halftime as Burleigh surged back into the contest.
Coach Brendan Frazer said the side showed resilience during the challenging stretch of the game.
“Probably that 15 minutes of the first part of the second half, Burleigh started to find their way back into the game,” Frazer said.
“I think when we started running back towards the birdcage and the energy of the crowd, it actually lifts the guys.”
Frazer said the result provided a positive platform for the team as they begin a long season.
“It was great,” he said.
“We’ve got a 19-round season, and I was prepared for the first five or six rounds to be super scrappy.”
The match also highlighted the club’s growing depth, with several new players featuring in the lineup.
“We had nine debutantes today,” Frazer said.
“Most of those players, I think eight of them have been Beaudesert juniors.”
Halfback Cooper Lewis was named player of the match after an impressive performance guiding the Kingfishers around the park.
Frazer said the club was focused on building a strong local culture, both on and off the field.
“At the Kingfishers we’re blessed with a history, and those old boys are crucial to that history,” he said.
“We want it to be the town’s team. When we’re playing at home, we want everybody to come out.”
