Pride U20s vow to step up
NORTHERN Pride’s under-20 team will be out to prove a point when they tackle arch-rivals Townsville in today’s Hastings Deering Colts preliminary final.
While a grand final spot is up for grabs, coach David Scott said the game meant much more than that.
“We are considered the little brothers, especially when it comes to the pick of the Cowboys,” he said.
“The Blackhawks get the best of the Cowboys allocation and we get what’s left over as a rule. But our boys are developing nicely. I think we’ll get the job done.”
Barring a miracle, halfback Jack Campagnolo won’t play in today’s clash after he was ruled out with a knee injury.
“It’s far from ideal, but we won plenty of games when Jack was up in the ISC team and we’ve got a few blokes who can play in the halves,” Scott said.
The Pride and the Blackhawks played each other twice in the regular season.
In the first match, the teams drew 24-24 at Jack Manski Oval, but it was Townsville who got the upper hand in the second match, winning 12-4 at Atherton.
“That game we lost was one of the worst games we’ve played all year,” Scott said.
“I don’t feel like there is much between the two sides at all if we are at our best.”
The Blackhawks will be feeling the pressure, having lost their past two matches.
The winner of today’s game will play Norths Devils in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday.