How Currumbin landed Corey Norman for Gold Coast A Grade title push

The 228-game former Broncos, Eels and Dragons playmaker turned 34 in February so is still younger than active NRL stars Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt and Kieran Foran.

Norman joined the Eagles to complete a triumvirate of ex-NRL players alongside good mate Kevin Proctor and Jarrod Wallace.

The 2019 Maroons No.6 recorded two try assists on debut in a 28-16 defeat to Gold Coast premiership favourites Burleigh at Tugun’s Betty Diamond Sports Complex.

Coach Matt Geyer said Norman had only firmed to play on the morning but was able to take command of the fixture in the second half.

“We didn’t train all week and I’d heard that he might have been at the game but that’s where we were at with it (giving Norman a Gold Coast football debut),” Geyer said.

“He’d only got up (from New South Wales) two weeks ago and only trained with the boys once.

“He’s a lot of fun, he’s got great energy, but he also mixes in with that a bit of humility as well. I didn’t know Corey that well but I’m a fan already just for that side of it.”

Norman started the match quietly, playing on Currumbin’s right edge, but found his feet in the second half. Two pinpoint kicks in the Currumbin red zone were rewarded with tries while a third could easily have been rewarded for six points if Burleigh hadn’t grounded a knock-on in the nick of time.

“He just didn’t know where to jump in and insert himself in the game (in the first half) but in the second half he became a lot more comfortable,” Geyer added.

“He had his two try assists with kicks and he started to float around the field a bit more. As the season progresses I’m so excited to see what he’s going to bring to us.”

Currumbin have won one from three matches since falling short in the 2024 grand final but are yet to bring out the dual big guns of Wallace and Proctor.

In the space of three years Jakeem Thompson has gone from second-string halfback at Palm Beach Currumbin to partnering the Queensland State of Origin representative in the halves.

The Eagles young gun has landed the ultimate mentor to help him fill the boots of A Grade legend Michael Burgess in Norman.

Geyer said Norman’s addition to the Eagles’ spine would bring out the best in the exciting young half, who turns 21 this season.

“Keemie has really taken off,” Geyer said.

“In three games he’s been really strong. He showed against Southport and Tugun that his attacking ability is on-point. He’s an ad lib footballer, he can play a bit of structure, and I’m encouraging him to feel like he’s wearing No.1 on his back rather than a No.7.

The No.7 stuff will come because he’s a dynamic runner with great feet.”

The ability to unshackle Thompson from the responsibility of running the team is set to unlock Thompson’s running game.

The former PBC sparkplug made his A Grade debut in Toowoomba as a winger for Highfields while moonlighting for the Clydesdales under-21s.

His return to the Gold Coast has seen Thompson don a familiar shade of red at Currumbin with some new tricks up his sleeve.

Most impressive to Geyer in Thompson’s first match alongside Norman was his commitment in defence, in the face of a familiar foe in Ryan Jones.

The ex-Currumbin backrower has switched to Burleigh chasing his Queensland Cup dream and last Saturday came face-to-face with Thompson.

Geyer said the youngster held his own.

“What I was really happy with him about was he was targeted by Ryan Jones … whose job was to get at Jakeem,” Geyer said.

“Jakeem did really well to get out of the line and put his body on the line.

“He’s doing a really good job for us.”

Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade resumes on May 10 with Currumbin hosting Runaway Bay.

Originally published as How Currumbin landed Corey Norman for Gold Coast A Grade title push