Gold Coast coach John Cartwright (pictured) has included five 100-game NRL plus veterans in his 23-man squad to face the Vodafone Warriors in Saturdays NRL trial at Pizzey Park, Burleigh Heads. Photo: Photosport.
Named in the starting forward pack are seasoned campaigners Mark Minichiello, who boasts more than 200 appearances, Luke Douglas, Matt White and Luke ODwyer while ex-Brisbane centre Steve Michaels provides ample experience in the backline.
In contrast the most experienced player in the Vodafone Warriors side named on Tuesday by new head coach Matthew Elliott is prop Steve Rapira. Given the captaincy, Rapira counts just 37 games while the only other starting forwards who have been on the NRL scene are hooker Alehana Mara (16 games), loose forward Sebastine Ikahihifo (4 games) and second rower Sam Lousi (2 games). Sione Lousi (31 games) is on the bench.
Minichiello and Douglas have each played more games individually than the entire Vodafone Warriors picked for the match.
Among the new faces included in the Gold Coast side is former Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Mark Ioane, who was in the clubs 2010 NYC premiership-winning team.
The full Gold Coast side is: Matt Russell; Anthony Don, Steve Michaels, Jordan Atkins, Hymel Hunt; Beau Henry, Jordan Rankin; Luke Douglas, Matt Srama, Matt White; Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello; Luke ODwyer. Interchange: Luke Page, Mark Ioane, Cody Nelson, Albert Kelly, Beau Falloon, Shane Gray, Sam Irwin, Jahrome Hughes, Mark ODare, Shaun Carney.
Named in the starting forward pack are seasoned campaigners Mark Minichiello, who boasts more than 200 appearances, Luke Douglas, Matt White and Luke ODwyer while ex-Brisbane centre Steve Michaels provides ample experience in the backline.
In contrast the most experienced player in the Vodafone Warriors side named on Tuesday by new head coach Matthew Elliott is prop Steve Rapira. Given the captaincy, Rapira counts just 37 games while the only other starting forwards who have been on the NRL scene are hooker Alehana Mara (16 games), loose forward Sebastine Ikahihifo (4 games) and second rower Sam Lousi (2 games). Sione Lousi (31 games) is on the bench.
Minichiello and Douglas have each played more games individually than the entire Vodafone Warriors picked for the match.
Among the new faces included in the Gold Coast side is former Vodafone Junior Warriors prop Mark Ioane, who was in the clubs 2010 NYC premiership-winning team.
The full Gold Coast side is: Matt Russell; Anthony Don, Steve Michaels, Jordan Atkins, Hymel Hunt; Beau Henry, Jordan Rankin; Luke Douglas, Matt Srama, Matt White; Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello; Luke ODwyer. Interchange: Luke Page, Mark Ioane, Cody Nelson, Albert Kelly, Beau Falloon, Shane Gray, Sam Irwin, Jahrome Hughes, Mark ODare, Shaun Carney.
