Pride find future is right here

HOMEGROWN playmakers Jack Campagnolo and Jordan Biondi-Odo are the future of the Northern Pride with coach Ty Williams eager to lock in his halves combination for 2019 as soon as possible.

Playing just his ninth game last weekend, the composed Campagnolo has shown enough to earn high praise from around the competition, including Mackay Cutters mentor Steven Sheppard in recent weeks. Fellow Far North junior Biondi-Odo has blossomed since Todd Carney walked out on the club, helping lead the Pride to 13 wins so far this season.

“I think we’re seeing the result of Jack being in our system for 18 months now,” Williams said of the talented halfback. “Physically, his body has changed and his thought processes have changed.

“In the next few weeks we’ll move to sign him up for the next few years because I think he’s the future of the club.

“It’s an exciting time for the club having two young halves come through. There aren’t many on the market and these are guys that we’ve developed, so that’s good for us.”

The Pride enter this weekend knowing a win at home against Redcliffe makes them near certainties to play finals with Williams admitting he needed to “tone down” his own excitement.

“I’m stoked because I was planning Mad Monday this time last year,” Williams said.

“If we win this week, we’re basically guaranteed to play in the semis. It’s an exciting time for us as a club.

“A lot of the playing group hasn’t experienced these types of games before and I think the weekend was our most complete performance.

“The boys are training well now. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

After a standout performance against Mackay, Ethan Lowe will travel with the Cowboys squad while Troy Kapea returns from injury for the Pride.