Stephen in better position to handle pressure
IT was a rookie moment Bradley Stephen would rather forget but the Northern Pride centre is out to bounce back and make a splash when he runs out against the Blackhawks today.
A dropped ball on his own line handed Burleigh a try in an otherwise solid display last weekend but the Kangaroos junior said he was eager to pick himself up and move on.
Stephen said it would be a massive challenge individually and collectively to earn the Pride’s first win against the Blackhawks and hoped to put it all together so he could get across the stripe.
“We’ve been playing some tough games lately, we’re just trying to work on our ball control and stuff and once we get that under control, hopefully we can get the ball out wide more and tries will come with that,” he said.
Stephen said he was in a much better place off the field than he was when he made his debut two seasons ago.
“I’m just feeling heaps better, had a full pre-season and I’m much fitter and stronger this year and feel better about my footy,” he said.
Luke George has been the experienced rock beside him this season but he could have a new right-side with his winger in serious doubt due to a calf complaint.
Such is the occasion of the Foley Shield derby, coach Ty Williams has all but ruled out catapulting Troyson Bassini or Matthew Musumeci into an Intrust Super Cup debut.
“We don’t want to throw them to the wolves but in saying that, they’re not far off,” he said. “We’re leaning towards not playing him at the moment.
“We’ll see what happens. We could do a reshuffle of the backline. Jordan Biondi-Odo has obviously played in the No.1 before.”
Tom Hancock will be called on to the bench if George is ruled out.
Williams said giving the players a lighter training load looked to be a good move with rain during the week sure to make Barlow Park a heavier track than usual.