THE BUG IS BACK
Legends convince Northern Pride prop to carry on club legacy
HEARING stories from the men who built the Northern Pride has inspired Will Bugden to be part of the team that writes the club’s next chapter of success.
The 24-year-old prop has joined the list of re-signings for 2018 after starring as the club’s marquee signing this season until a season-ending medial ligament injury against Mackay in Round 17.
Bugden said after a tough season “in the trenches” for the Pride he would leave no stone unturned to be part of the club’s resurgence.
“I sat there at the 10-year presentation and I saw a heap of blokes there, some who had played NRL, some didn’t, but what they all did was they created the Northern Pride and I saw just how proud they were of what they achieved,” Bugden said.
“I feel like staying here, working with some of the older fellas like Sheldon PoweHobbs and Ryan Ghietti, and hopefully we can keep guys like Joel Riethmuller for another year and create a nucleus of players and maybe I’ll be up there in 20, 25 or 50 years’ time.
“I want to be part of something I can be proud of and create a new chapter.”
Bugden said fighting hard to get results all season was possibly the best thing that could have happened for the playing group to learn the rigours of the Intrust Super Cup and make a charge for next season.
“We’ve been in the trenches and we’ve learnt a lot about each other this year ... and sometimes there’s a lot to be gained from a season like we’ve just had,” he said.
Bugden said not rushing his return from a knee injury would serve him well for a strong preseason and allow him to attack 2018 with the same vigour from the first whistle.
“I’ve had about a month off now already so my preseason will start right after presentation,” he said.
Pride vice-captain Justin Castellaro, who broke his collarbone in Round 16, has also re-signed with the club.
The centre is unlikely to return to the Intrust Super Cup this season but hopes to regain his fitness in a bid to represent Italy at the Rugby League World Cup later this year.
The two re-signings come on the back of the club retaining a host of players, including Shawn Bowen, Connor Jones, Graham Clark, Tom Hancock, Ryan Ghietti, Sheldon PoweHobbs, Jared Allen and Colin Wilkie, in recent weeks.
Pride coach Ty Williams said he was on the lookout for a centre, half and interchange hooker to add to the roster, with most of the interest coming from NSW Cup.
I WANT TO BE PART OF SOMETHING I CAN BE PROUD OF AND CREATE A NEW CHAPTER WILL BUGDEN