Dempsey boosts Ivanhoes
NORTHERN Pride development player James Dempsey met his Ivanhoes teammates for the first time last night, at the club’s final training session before tomorrow’s CDRL trial against Kangaroos.
The 23-year-old relocated to the Far North in the off-season to take up a place in the Pride’s development squad, after playing for Pittsworth Danes in the Toowoomba Rugby League in 2018.
Ivanhoes coach Jono Zangrande said securing the young half’s services would be a major boost for the club’s prospects in the 2019 season.
“He’s a really well put-together young guy,” he said.
“He’s got a good attitude, he’s a likeable fella and apparently he’s extremely good with the footy.”
After taking 2018 off, former Southern Suburbs firstgrade coach Zangrande is back at Ivanhoes, where he previously coached the under-18s.
“What’s been super impressive, as an entire club, has been the attitude,” he said.
“From day dot they really just started turning up for each other.”
Zangrande said he would mainly be looking at the attitude shown by his players during tomorrow’s trial match. “Anything to do with effort really – defence and our kickchase – it’s not so much about skills at this point, it’s just about putting your hand up and having a solid crack,” he said.
“We’ve just focused on keeping it quite simple for the first few months – basic contact, turning up for each other and just seeing where the season takes us.
“If we’re able to get that done at a high percentage, we can then move into more elaborate footy.”
Ivanhoes take on Kangaroos at Smithfield tomorrow night. Kick-off is at 7pm.