Pride’s hat in the ring for ex-Cowboy Bolton

SCOTT Bolton would be welcomed to Barlow Park with open arms if the former Cowboys legend chose to run around for one more season in his home region.

Bolton played his last game for the Cowboys this year, closing the book on a 246-game, 13-season career at the Townsville club, with whom he won a premiership in 2015.

His rugby league future has been up for discussion since then, though there’s no hints on where the Innisfail junior may land in 2020 – if he plays rugby league at all.

Northern Pride football operations manager Chey Bird told the Cairns Post the club was involved in initial discussions with the prop, but they were no closer to securing the 32-year-old forward.

“If a player of his calibre and experience makes himself available you definitely listen,” Bird said.

“We had some initial discussions but nothing progressed further. If he wants to play again and come to his home region, we’d certainly see what we can do to bring him here.”

Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne said there was a place in his team ready to be filled should Bolton choose to stay in Townsville.

“Scott Bolton knows there is a contract for him when he has finished pig hunting and fishing in his off-season,” Payne said.

“A lot will depend on his work situation as to whether he goes around for another year.

“We aren’t concerned about him being late for pre-season.

“That is one thing about Bolts, he has always kept himself in good physical shape over his career.”

The Blackhawks swooped on former Pride co-captain Tom Hancock, who moved to Townsville due to work, and Payne said the club was still actively looking for more players.

Northern Pride has put together a strong squad as they strive for a vast improvement on this year’s historically poor season. The Pride finished 12th, winning just five games in what was the least successful season in club history.

Innisfail’s Karri Keen. Picture: STEWART MCLEAN PLAYING regular cricket against women twice their age and with years of experience should have Far North Queensland’s contingent of under-15 representatives ready for their latest test. Six Far North junior cricketers are among Queensland’s best junior athletes at the under-15s state female challenge in Ipswich. Hot on the heels of the Brisbane Heat’s second straight Women’s Big Bash League title, the state challenge features the best from across the state as Queensland Cricket officials cast their eyes over the next generation of stars. A Northern Flames team featuring six FNQ cricketers alongside a contingent from Townsville will start their three-day campaign against the Central Infernos. Manager Trish Spry said the challenge was a true test for the team as they face some of the most well-drilled cricketers in the Queensland Cricket production line. “It’s a good opportunity to test themselves against girls who regularly play at a higher level our girls just don’t have the same access to,” Spry said. The team got together once a month in Tully for training sessions.