Davin to tackle Sharks
Crampton signs on to coach Mossman-Port Douglas in ’23
NEW Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks coach Davin Crampton is taking the plunge by taking control of his first senior team.
Crampton will bring years of experience to the role, as the 34-yearold starts his transition from core Sharks player to a coach, with close friend and former Northern Pride teammate Noel Underwood slotting in as assistant coach.
And while the club returned for the first pre-season training session on Tuesday, Mossman-Port Douglas have already landed an enormous on-field coup with former Dally M winner Ben Barba announcing his intention to play for the Sharks.
It makes for an intriguing first season in charge for Crampton, who is ironing out some of the details of what his step up will actually look like.
“I always wanted to do it but never thought it would be there while I was playing,” Crampton said. “I’ll still play, I haven’t got a plan on how to juggle them just yet. We’ll work it out.”
Crampton is a Queensland Cup premiership winner with the Northern Pride, having been part of Jason Demetriou’s squad which won both the competition and the inaugural NRL State Championship in 2014.
A one-year deal with the Titans beckoned but his NRL stint was hampered by injury.
He returned to the Queensland Cup via Townsville Blackhawks, but in recent years has become a core member at Mossman-Port Douglas.
The Sharks are in the midst of their most successful period for some time with three grand-final appearances – and two premierships – in their past four seasons.
Mossman-Port Douglas went back to back in 2018-19, reached the finals in 2021 and fell to Brothers by just two points in the 2022 grand final.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Crampton wants to take the Sharks one step further in 2023 and win the premiership, but the man himself is more interested in offfield growth.
“The main goal is to finish on top – every team has that goal,” he said.
“This first year, it’s more development, just finding out what coaching style I’m going to roll with.
“With Noely putting his hand up as well to help, we’ve both played at the semi-professional level and understand what it takes to get the job done.
“If we can get everyone else to buy into what we’re doing it will be a bonus.”
FNQ Rugby League’s A-grade coach of the year Joel Marama, who took the Sharks to the minor premiership and a grand final berth, stepped aside after moving to Townsville.
Marama was unable to commit to coaching every week but has flagged an intent to keep playing for the Sharks when available.
Crampton said most players who contributed to the Sharks’ success this season intended to stick with the club in 2023, but expected Barba’s acquisition to bring a few more players to the northernmost team in the competition.