Bench gamble pays off for Pride
WHILE it didn’t hit the jackpot with a much-needed win, a “gamble” by coach Ty Williams has paid dividends for a Northern Pride side struggling to put points on the board.
Williams decision to shift halfback Jack Campagnolo to the interchange bench against Tweed Seagulls on the weekend proved somewhat of a coaching masterstroke, with the young Tully product sparking a late attacking raid for the Pride and staking his claim for reselection in the No.14 jersey.
Despite being one of the smaller members of the squad, the Pride’s 2018 Queensland Cup rookie of the year had a big impact in a 33-minute stint to close out the game.
“I thought when young Campagnolo came on it changed the game,” said Williams. “Playing at nine, he got us going on the front foot.”
The coach said he thought the bench utility role was one that Campagnolo could hold in the team, despite it being his non-preferred position.
“Obviously he’s played seven and six all his life, but (Saturday) he came on as a hooker and really got us going – the momentum swung,” said Williams.
“It was a bit of gamble but it paid off. He’ll definitely fill a spot within the 17 moving forward and I think that bench role is something he could keep working on.”
Campagnolo said he enjoyed the new role, but it would take some getting used to.
“Obviously I haven’t spent too much time in the middle with the big boys,” he said.
“I usually make 20 tackles a game and I probably made 20 tackles in 20 minutes, so it was a bit different, but it was good.
“There’s not as much pressure on you at nine, so you can sit back and look at the defence a little easier.
“I came on when everyone was a bit tired and a bit slow around the ruck, but we got a good roll on and we’ll take some good points out of that.”
Campagnolo said he would also need to get used to starting on the bench.
“I can’t even remember the last time I started on the bench so I didn’t do much sitting down,” he said.
“It was all running up and down the sidelines, just really eager to get on.”