Tough decision awaits Pride

Injured trio set to return

The cavalry may be about to return for the Northern Pride, with three players one successful training session away from being available to resume their Hostplus Cup campaign.

But that could mean a headache for coach Ty Williams, who named a rare unchanged line-up for the Pride’s clash with Queensland Cup newcomers Western Clydesdales in Toowoomba on Saturday.

The Clydesdales’ return to the state league makes for one of the toughest road trips the Pride will endure in the Hostplus Cup, with the flight to Brisbane now coupled with a potentially more-than-twohour bus trip to Toowoomba for the clash.

That will undoubtedly come into consideration when Williams makes a call on the fitness of skipper Chris Ostwald, who would play his 100th game if he is available to play.

Ostwald scored his first try of the season in the Pride’s heart-stopping 16-12 triumph against North Queensland rivals Mackay Cutters at Barlow Park on Saturday, but spent time on the sideline for a HIA and copped a knock to his knee during the club’s fourth win of the 2023 campaign.

Ostwald is expected to play, but Williams could also have three more weapons at his disposal, with Denzel King, Daniel Woodhouse and Justin Frain on the cusp of returning.

King is in the middle of a resurgence after several quiet seasons.

He trained and played his way back into contract consideration in the past 12 months, and earlier this season played his first Hostplus Cup game in almost two years.

He has come off the bench four times this season, but missed the past two games with a hamstring injury.

Frain, who has played four games since he joined the Pride from Townsville, has also missed the past two weeks but will need to get through training to be a chance of playing.

Winger Woodhouse is the most unlikely of the trio having missed several weeks with a shoulder injury.

If any of the trio are successful, it will leave Williams and his staff with a tough decision.

“We’ll do an opposed (Wednesday) night, then decisions made at that session,” he said.

“Denzel is not far away, Frain’s just about there, and Woodhouse, he’s tracking along good.

“Strength is key for us with ‘Woody’, he’s been getting that in the past five days.

“If they all three get through, we’ll have a discussion as coaches. We’ll have to throw them in the ring there somewhere because all three have performed well for us.

“There’s going to be a few hard decisions to make.

“Whether they play for the Pride or local team, they’ll do their best to get back there.”

The Clydesdales, who are captained by Cooktown product and former Pride forward Darryn Schonig, are 12th on the Hostplus Cup ladder with two wins and five losses.

But Williams hasn’t considered their position on the ladder at all in his scout, warning his troops they could not disrespect or overlook any opponent in what has been a tight, tough season to date.