LEAGUE PREVIEW
FIVE players are set to make their Northern Pride debut this weekend against a fired-up Redcliffe outfit with back-toback Intrust Super Cup premierships in mind.
Coach Ty Williams yesterday named a 20-man squad with five North Queensland Cowboys, including star Far North juniors Jake Clifford and Nene MacDonald, and a fourman bench, all playing their first official game for the club.
He said many eyes would be on Cowboys allocation and former Pride under-20s gun forward touted as the next Taumalolo, Pete Hola, who will start at lock.
“By all reports, he’s had a wow of an off-season and has done some really good things,” Williams said. “I just want to see how he goes against probably one of the best forward packs in the comp that Redcliffe can toss up, with James Taylor and the likes.”
Williams said he was expecting a “bumper crowd” at Barlow Park on Saturday, when the Pride’s 2019 Intrust Super Cup campaign gets under way in Cairns.
“If our trials were any indication – 1500 up at Mossman and more than 1000 at Suburbs – it seems the guys have jumped back on board with us through our performances on and off the field,” he said.
“Having the inclusions of our Cowboys, who are all local guys, is only going to increase our numbers.
“Our 18s and 20s will be running against Redcliffe as well. It’s a massive day for the club and it’s just good to have football back on and especially in Cairns at Barlow Park. Round 1 against the premiers – it doesn’t get any better.”
Hugh Sedger will start in the second row for his first game in the Pride colours, while fellow Pride first-timers Denzel King, Cameron Torpy, Matthew Laumea and former NRL star Maurice Blair make up the bench.
Co-captain David Murphy (knee, 6-8 weeks), Dominic Biondi (wrist, four weeks) and Brayden Torpy (shoulder, 1-2 weeks) were unavailable for selection.
“Torpy’s not far off,” Williams said. “We’re thinking maybe next weekend he’ll be back – if not, definitely against the Blackhawks (in Round 3).
“We don’t want to throw him in the deep end and then have something happen to him.”