FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT FROM THE PRIDE’S TRIAL WIN OVER TOWNSVILLE

1 AT SIXES AND SEVENS

Halves Evan Child and Jordan BiondiOno were given the keys to the Pride and, while they improved with time, the shaky start was worrisome. Pride were twice caught on the fifth tackle, coughing up possession and field position to a hungry Townsville team. There has to be clearer communication from the outset to avoid disaster.

2 BREAKS CAN BE A GODSEND

Particularly in trial games. Townsville were the better side for much of the opening quarter, but thankfully for the Pride, the 20-minute terms made things easier to settle down the players. They came out a better, more focused team, and controlled the majority of the remaining hour.

3 THIS TEAM CAN DEFEND

The Pride’s attack struggled to get out of first gear but there was no doubting the side’s defensive effort. The right edge allowed a soft try for the Blackhawks to open their account, but they muscled up and got the job done. You’d have to imagine they’ll get better as time goes on.

4 ONE MAN BAND

Sione Lousi was the Blackhawks’ go-to man in the engine room but they can’t depend on the former Tonga international to do everything. The former Warriors forward, who signed for Townsville at the end or 2016, was kept extremely busy. He’ll see plenty of ball, but he needs support.

5 MAURICE BLAIR SHOWED GLIMPSES OF WHAT HE CAN DO

The high-profile recruit looked solid in his first game as a Northern Pride player. It’s been a while since he’s played a game, but if he stays fit the former Hull Kingston Rovers utility could be a difference maker as the season goes on.