Murray Steamers recruit Safuan Said
The Murray Steamers is the latest franchise to announce their APL03 line-up which includes internationals Ryan Bester (CAN) and Safuan Said (MAL) and Moama local Michael Walker Aiming to be the first Australian Premier League side to go back-to-back in the revolutionary event, the Murray Steamers have been forced to fill the shoes of arguably the world’s best bowler, Alex Marshall MBE for the third instalment of APL.
In the most competitive environment the Murray Steamers have opted for another international superstar to join their franchise and get them into the winners circle once more, when they step out onto the biggest stage with a target on their back as the defending champions.
Malaysian great Safuan Said has the momentous task of filling the flying’ Scotsman’s shoes when he steps out for the Murray Steamers in the $110,000 event this November and couldn’t be happier to take part in the revolutionary tournament.
“I’m super excited to join the Murray Steamers in the APL and I know it will be great to compete alongside Ryan Bester and Michael Walker in such a unique format,” said the former world singles champion.
“I’m enjoying every moment playing bowls down under and as most people say, the best place in the world to play bowls is here in Australia.”
Said will be playing Melbourne Premier League at MCC Kew Sports for the second year in a row prior to stepping out for the Murray Steamers.
Whilst Said hasn’t played internationally for over three years, his team mate Ryan Bester, a Canadian representative, has been in the best form of his life finishing top of the Aero Bowls National Rankings less than a year after winning silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
People will be questioning whether the Murray Steamers can win consecutive APL titles without Alex Marshall; however their coach Zane Mikin Laurie, the Sports Administrator at Moama Bowling Club has full confidence in the team selected for APL03.
“Obviously we are missing the world number 1 and APL02’s MVP, however Safuan Said brings with him enormous experience on the world stage and in big games; we are really excited to have him in the team, he is a great addition and I know he is really looking forward to the opportunity,” said a confident coach Mikin-Laurie.
“Ryan Bester has been performing better than anyone else in the country since APL02 and Michael Walker continues his local form and is itching to get back to Club Pine Rivers; so I’m expecting a strong performance from the Steamers once again.
“Back home I know Echuca-Moama and the whole Murray region really got behind the Steamers last year and being the only regional side in the competition we look forward to giving everyone across Northern Victoria and Southern NSW a strong exciting team to cheer on.”
Once again Murray Steamers team mates Ryan Bester and Michael Walker will team up in the prestigious Moama Men’s Pairs as a strong warm event prior to the APL; however they will meet tough competition from their new recruit Said, who will also be using the Moama Prestige Pairs as a practice event leading into his APL debut.
The Murray Steamers are expecting a good band of spectators to make the trip from Moama to Club Pine Rivers to cheer on their team whilst plenty of support from Bester’s home club Broadbeach on the Gold Coast will jump on board the Steamers once again.
The competition is expected to be tougher than ever this year and the Murray Steamers have said they will keep their eyes on XXXX Brisbane Gold as the team to beat, with all the local support, especially from Wayne’s Can Bar, and the inclusion of international star Jeremy Henry, they are already shaping up like a winning combination.
XXXX Brisbane Gold will make their team’s announcement next week; who will join Jeremy Henry and Kelvin Kerkow for the local side in APL03?
For more information on the Australian Premier League and to read team announcements from other franchises visit www.australianpremierleague.com.au
