Pride rookie tackling rival packs head-on
SIGN UP & PLAY AT
ROWAN SPARKES WHEN he’s not flipping opposition players on to their backs with his textbook tackling technique, Northern Pride rookie Tom McGrath can be found flipping burgers at a local fast food restaurant.
It not only helps the aspiring rugby league player pay the bills, it also helps him keep his self-discipline in check, as he refuses to give in to the temptation of an employeepriced meal on the daily.
“I try not to eat from there and always bring my own food,” said the 19-year-old.
“I’ve got to try and stay healthy.”
McGrath will play his second Queensland Cup game for the Pride tomorrow, after making his debut with the club last week.
He was impressive in last week’s loss to Ipswich, making 38 tackles in an 80-minute performance on the right edge.
Tomorrow, he faces a much bigger Souths Logan Magpies outfit featuring Brisbane Broncos-contracted forwards George Fai, Patrick Mago, Shaun Fensom and Sam Tagataese.
He believes a focus on bulking up over the past year has put him in good stead to go toe-to-toe with the competition’s top-tier players.
“When I made the move up from 18s to 20s last year, I definitely noticed I was lacking on the physicality side of things,” he said.
“That was one of my goals, to put on a bit of size and muscle over off-season and preseason.”
The young backrower was elevated to the Queensland Cup squad mid-season, following powerhouse performances in the under-20s competition.
“Since moving to Cup, I’m just trying to compete with the older boys and lift the same weight as them,” he said.
“Hopefully, I can keep making the team and just try to keep playing consistent footy,” McGrath said.
A Northern Territory kid, McGrath moved from Gove to Cairns as a 13-year-old and played his junior footy in Cairns with Ivanhoe Knights.