FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT FROM THE PRIDE’S THIRD TRIAL AGAINST PNG HUNTERS
1. PRIDE BEAT THEMSELVES
The Northern Pride reacted to certain situations well and showed improvement in defence in their third trial, but their completion rate of 59 per cent was still not up to scratch, according to coach Ty Williams. “It’s not through structural stuff, it’s just through individual recognition – when you get fatigued, you drop the football,” he said. “Early on, the reason they (PNG) were so close was because of us. They weren’t beating us with too much.”
2. CONVERSION RATE VITAL
Goal-kicking practice should be on the Northern Pride’s agenda before the season starts. Jack Campagnolo took on the duties on the weekend and kicked four from seven. While it’s not a bad effort, this year’s Intrust Super Cup competition will be so close that having a sharpshooter take the tee could end up being the difference when taking on top teams. Any chance for an extra couple of points must be taken and capitalised on throughout the regular season.
3. BACKS MUST STEP UP
The Pride’s outside backs were on the end of some swift edge plays on Saturday afternoon but couldn’t finish the job on more than one occasion. Williams was frank in addressing the poor finishing after the match.
“As outside backs, we talk about finishing tries and finishing well,” he said. “I think we bombed three or four tries. We need to be better than that. I know it’s only a trial, but we don’t train since November to miss those opportunities.”
4. HAMPTON A HANDFUL
North Queensland Cowboys utility and Mareeba junior Ben Hampton was patchy in his first game back since rupturing his bicep last May, as to be expected, but showed signs that he will only get better as he gets more minutes under his belt. Hampton formed a good combination with Cowboys teammate and fellow Pride allocation Ben Condon. Hampton and the young backrower caused trouble for the Hunters down the left edge all afternoon.
5. OLO SHOWS PROMISE
Papua New Guinea may have unearthed a promising young talent in bench utility Stanley Olo. The young rake could be seeing plenty of minutes in the Intrust Super Cup if he keeps his form up. Hunters head coach Matthew Church said Olo had impressed him for a second consecutive week off the bench. “He’s on a train and trial deal with us at the moment,” Church said. “He went all right with us last week and he showed some nice touches out there again.”