PRIDE FINISH WITH HOME COMFORT
THE Northern Pride’s season has been far from a fairytale in 2019, but the footy gods must have been watching over Barlow Park on Saturday night.
Trailing Easts Tigers 16-0 early in the second half, the Pride’s goal to finish their season on a high and win their last home game of the season wasn’t going to plan.
But, in the final home stand of departing co-captains Tom Hancock and David Murphy, the Pride weren’t going to let the visitors spoil the day.
Inspired to send the two club stalwarts out in style, the Pride scored the last three tries of the match to put on an unanswered 18 points and snatch an emotional 18-16 victory.
Hancock said it was nice to go out a winner – even if he couldn’t remember much of the game.
The backrower was forced from the field in the first half after copping a head knock.
“I just got wrong-footed off the scrum and ended up diving and reaching into a tackle,” he said.
“I’m not sure how it happened, whether it was a knee, a hip or a head clash, but it split me open and that was me done for the night.”
He said he would be sad to leave the Northern Pride club, for which he will play his 109th game against Tweed Seagulls next weekend.
“I’ve tried not to think too much about it because I am worried about it getting the better of me emotionally,” he said.
“I’ve been here a fair while now; it’ll be strange to not be here next year.”
Murphy echoed his co-captain’s sentiments. “The club’s been a big part of our lives for the last five years or so,” he said.
“It’s going to be sad to go but I’m looking forward to having a bit of time off.
“I’ve played for six years now, so I think it’s just time for me to focus on a career outside of footy.”
Hancock, a lawyer, is also looking to further his professional career, taking up a job offer in Townsville.
He said it might not be the last the Pride fans see of him.
“Whether or not I try and take something on with the Blackhawks, I’ll make that decision in the next month or so,” he said.
“I think I’ll leave footy alone for a little while, just to let the season settle down and sort out what I want to do.”