Bus ride just the ticket for Bulls

THE best part of Barron Trinity Bulls taking a new-look side into their season-opener against Port Douglas may well be the bus trip.

The traditional bonding adventure comes early for the Machans Beach club, which has been a dominant force in FNQ Rugby for years.

They’ve made four straight grand finals, winning three in a row from 2016-18 before falling short last year,

But the Bulls boarding the bus today are a different breed to those who fell to JCU on that wet Saturday afternoon at Barlow Park.

Wayne Meredith hasn’t sat on his hands in ensuring the Bulls have a side to compete and it’s why he’s excited about the team that will take the field today.

A number of players from the Bulls’ side which won the under-18s title last year will step up into the grades full time this season.

They’re set to start their senior campaigns in the reserve grade side, with some expected to sit on the bench for the A-grade side.

“The forwards are tried and tested but those youth players will be coming against men for the first time,” Meredith said.

“They’re bigger, they hit harder, and the game is a bit quicker in seniors.”

The Bulls have also jagged two massive signings from the Northern Pride.

Talented second-rower Ewan Moore returns to where his journey began, the former Bulls junior not named for today’s clash but set to suit up for Barron, while hulking prop Lata Fakalelu has found a home - and, potentially, a new position - at Machans Beach.

“I might even throw him into the centres. He played as a junior back in New Zealand so he’s not entirely new to the code.,” Meredith said.

Kick-off is at 4pm.