Duo to step up for Pride

SPORT

IN KEEPING with his mantra to promote from within, Northern Pride coach Ty Williams has rewarded Cairns and District Rugby League stars Bradley Stephen and Justin Castellaro’s solid form with spots in this weekend’s crucial clash with the Townsville Blackhawks in Atherton.

Williams’ faith in his CDRL charges has paid dividends of late with Kangaroos’ Stephen playing a key role in the Pride’s heroic 22-16 away win a fortnight ago against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

After displaying his class in a playmaking role with the Roos during the representative round last weekend, Stephen returns to the Intrust Super Cup competition alongside Brothers wing Justin Castellaro, who replaces the suspended Murray Taulagi.

Williams, who regularly stalks the sidelines of CDRL matches, said the Pride’s players get a simple message for when they play at local level.

“I always say to the guys, ‘when you go back to the CDRL competition you need to be the best players out there’ and when you go back and perform well you get an opportunity at the next level,” Williams said.

“Justin played pretty well against Suburbs a couple of weeks ago and then he was really good up the middle (last weekend).

“Bradley was really good. His touches were really classy and he was a step above everyone out there. He played in the halves which is the first time I’ve seen him do that for a long time and I liked that he demanded the football.”

Pride chief executive Greg Dowling lamented that the Pride won’t play a curtain raiser to the Rabbitohs-Cowboys NRL clash at Barlow Park this weekend, with the club competing away from Cairns until August 4, when they play CQ.

Tom Hancock is expected to return from a hamstring injury provided he gets through Thursday night’s training session.

“If there’s any doubt, we won’t risk him,” Williams said.