Bears to celebrate 1979 and 1999 premiership teams

Burleigh Bears will celebrate their greats of the past when they host their 2019 reunion on Saturday.

Every year, the Bears take time to commemorate those that came before them and this year they will be celebrating the A Grade premiership winning team of 1979, the A Grade premiership winning team of 1999 and the Intrust Super Cup premiership winning team of 1999.

Some of Burleigh’s greatest ever players featured in those teams and many of them will be in attendance for the reunion hosted at the Bears leagues club on Saturday.

The 1979 team holds a special place in Bears history. Coached by Eric Lilley and captained by Peter McNamara, their premiership was the club’s first in decades and in many ways, set the stage for the club’s continued growth in the years since.

The club’s most successful year on record was no doubt 1999. They featured in grand finals in all three grades in the local competition, with Jamie O’Connor’s A Grade side claiming victory as the Bears wrapped up the club championship.

At the state level, the Bears secured their first Queensland / Intrust Super Cup premiership with the Rick Stone-coached side defeating minor premiers Redcliffe 12-10 in the grand final.

That side featured the likes of the club’s most capped player Shane O’Flanagan and all-time leading point scorer Reggie Cressbrook.

The entire 1999 premiership team along with coach Rick Stone will be attending the event which runs from 12.30pm-3.30pm this Saturday afternoon and will be followed by the Burleigh Bears Round 21 Intrust Super Cup clash with the Northern Pride at 4pm.