Mene in mix for big debut
Try-scoring phenom Lewis Mene has almost bashed down the door for a Northern Pride debut.
Mene joined the Pride late in the off-season but has played his way into contention for a Hostplus
Cup debut with the club.
A man who scored 30 tries in Townsville Blackhawks’ Colts triumph in 2022, Mene has shown that try-scoring touch with five tries in two games for Mossman-Port Douglas in the FNQRL Agrade competition.
Playing at the end of a left edge which includes former Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba, Queensland Cup winner Noel Underwood and fellow Pride contender Budhagi Gibuma, Mene scored twice in the Sharks’ 40-20 win against Brothers on Sunday afternoon.
With regular starters Will Partridge injured and Daniel Woodhouse battling injury, Pride coach Ty Williams confirmed he had considered the former junior Queensland representative.
“I’d be stupid if I wasn’t thinking about Lewis Mene,” Williams said. “He’s a genuine tryscorer.
“I watched him again on the weekend outside Benny, Noely and Budhagi – and Budhagi is another one – that Mossman left edge is sensational.
“He’s got what six (sic) tries in two games? You don’t have to coach that, he knows how to find it.”
Williams said Mene was ready for the state league, but there were still parts of his game that needed to be addressed.
“The big thing is making sure he’s consistent,” Williams said.
“You’ve got to remember he’s only 19 years old, it’s scary to think how far he will go in the game.
“Is he ready for Cup? Yeah, for sure.
“When we choose to pick him, it could be this week, it could be next week, but he’s definitely one guy who is knocking on the door.”