Pride at stake in crunch clash
’Up for the challenge’
NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams does not care for the petty tit-for-tat that dominates the build-up to key rivalry games at the elite level.
But the Cowboys legend fired a missive at the Pride’s regional neighbours just days out from their first official clash of the year.
The Blackhawks were fairly heavily backed at the start of the Hostplus Cup season after the Cowboys reviewed their player allocation process and decided to keep all contracted players in Townsville.
It forced the Pride to be truly independent of the NRL club, at least from a playing squad perspective, but in reality it only enhanced what the Cairns club was already doing.
But in the lead-up to Saturday’s enticing Hostplus Cup Rivalry Round clash, which will feature all five teams going toe-to-toe at Barlow Park, Williams made sure the pressure was on the right end of this section of the Bruce Hwy.
Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne told Townsville media the Pride “did their homework” ahead of their trial.
“I don’t think we did much scouting,” Williams said.
“If anything, the boys trusted our coaching ability in working out game plans.
“We caught them a couple times with a few kicks, probably the nature of the beast when you coach Rob Derby for a while.
“We know they’ve had six weeks together now, all the expectation should be on them.
“They’re the guys who are contracted, we’re just semiprofessional athletes doing our best, and this weekend is no different. The boys will be up for the challenge.”
Call it a shot across the bow, but it’s as close as Williams will entertain to stoking the fire between the clubs.
When asked if a win would be sweeter given the change to Cowboys allocations, and the prospect of facing former Pride co-captain Jayden Hodges and winger Rob Derby, Williams shut it down.
“We don’t have to go that track,” Williams said.
“Hodgo got to a good club and a very well-coached team, I’m sure he’ll be up for the challenge.
“I’m not going to beat this one up and go just because they’re down the road and they have some former players and former captain, it’s exactly where I’m not going with this.”
In reality, Williams doesn’t need to beat up rivalry between the North Queensland cities.
He is one of many men who grew up in the Pride’s FNQ footprint, living and breathing a rugby league landscape dominated by the Foley Shield.
The representative rugby league rivalry added another layer at Hostplus Cup level, and the desire to beat the Blackhawks remains strong at Northern Pride HQ.
This game is played for the Kenfrost Homes Cup, a piece of silverware the Pride have yet to lift – and Williams wants that to change, starting with Saturday night’s clash at Barlow Park.