Thunder feel the hunger

ROWAN SPARKES THE FNQ Thunder’s rep season is still six months away but coach Dave Norton is already thinking about what his team can do differently in 2019.

Following a 67-5 drubbing at the hands of arch rivals Townsville in last year’s North Queensland Country Championships, Norton said the focus would be on restoring pride in the Thunder colours.

“I want to make sure we come into the program with more passion and hunger,” he said. Norton said a revamped rep season would also assist with preparations, with this year’s championship taking place in September, after the FNQ Rugby Rainforestation Cup is finished, instead of in May.

“I think we were a bit undercooked last year,” he said.

“With any luck the boys are going to be a lot fitter this time around with a full season under their belts.”

This will be Norton’s third year in the Thunder’s top job, after handling assistant duties in 2016. “The thing I love most about the program is seeing the lifelong friendships form between the guys,” he said.

“The new guys are a bit quiet, shy and reserved when they first get here, but they soon realise their opposite number from another club isn’t such a bad bloke.

“Playing for their local clubs there will always be that rivalry, but when they get together and put on that Thunder jersey, they get to see a different side of the game of rugby.”