Greg Sure to be Centre of Attention

DALE Shearer was as well known for his number of clubs as his playing ability. New Redcliffe signing Greg Bourke has been just as well travelled as the former Kangaroo back. Bourke's playing resume makes interesting reading. A Ballina product from the New South Wales North Coast,he turned out with National Rugby League clubs Wests Tigers, Sydney City and North Queensland before moving on to Queensland Cup outfits Burleigh Bears and Wynnum, spending two seasons each with those clubs. He started his top grade career with the Tigers before being recruited by to the Roosters and then spending two seasons with the Cowboys. "The Roosters were the most professional of the clubs I had been with," he said. "But then I enjoyed playing at all the clubs I have been with. "The Roosters' cause was helped by the quality of the players they had. ? Bourke's experience will come in handy this season for the Dolphins with the loss of top centres Brian Jellick(France)and Damian Richters (retirement). He has been called upon to fill the void and help Redcliffe back into the Queensland Cup semi-finals. ``I've been at pre-season training since it started on November 1 and I've really enjoyed it,'' Bourke said. A centre for his entire career, Bourke has signed a two-year contract with the Fins. ``I'll play these two seasons and see how I go,'' he said. "I always thought Redcliffe were a really good team and they were always a hard team to play against when I was with the Bears and Seagulls. "Last year was not as good as others for the club, but their future looks really appealing. I'm hoping to go one step better and win a premiership this season. That is everyone's aim in their career." Bourke has been close to taking a title with his two previous outfits,although the Bears won last year's title after he had left the previous season for Wynnum, who made the finals in 2004, eventually finishing third. Bourke and his wife Sharon, who have a son and a daughter, both work for Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast.He is on the security side of the operation while his wife is a dealer. ``They have been really good employers for me in allowing me time to play football," he said. "We live at Eagleby, which is halfway between our work at Conrad Jupiters and Brisbane,'' he said. "It works out well as it's only 40 minutes either way to work or training." Bourke's analysis of the Queensland Cup is interesting. He believes the standard is improving every season,although naturally not to the standard of the NRL where fulltime training and resources allows players to develop to their maximum potential. 'You only have to see how many players the NRL gets from this competition to realise it is at a high level," he said. "It is a good playing standard, much better than any of the country leagues and one of the better leagues in the world. Playing with Redcliffe will be a new challenge."