Nona steers Bulls

Comeback for veteran

SOUTHS has found its field general for the club’s historic return to Rugby League Townsville & Districts A Grade.

The Bulls’ search for their first halfback in a generation is over, with 111-game Queensland Cup veteran Shaun Nona set to be handed the famous maroon No. 7 jersey for 2023.

The former Townsville Blackhawks captain called time on his professional rugby league career in 2022 after seven seasons in the Queensland Cup across four different clubs.

A noted goalkicker, Nona scored 880 Queensland Cup points to sit inside the league’s top 10 scorers of all time.

Nona, 32, has qualified for finals at every club he has played and declared he had no plans for that record to change now he was a Bull.

“That (playing finals) is definitely an ambition,” Nona said.

“We’re not going to be playing just to make up the numbers. We want to be competitive, to push the top teams.

“If we can be at the business end of the season, we want to be playing finals footy and win the premiership.”

The 24-time A Grade champion club won its last title in 1982, 18 years before the club’s collapse in 2000 and 41 years before its resurrection under coach Andy Walters in 2023.

Nona is seven months younger than Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend and said his age and experience would be an asset to Townsville’s foundation club, not an anchor around its neck.

“Definitely,” Nona said. “I probably could have played (Queensland Cup) for another couple of years, to be honest.

“It (retirement) was mostly the travel and my little family.

“My body wasn’t feeling too good at the end of this year so I think not training in that dayto-day grind is going to be good for my body.

“I’ll definitely bring some experience. Andy (Walters) said the club had several young halves and they want me to spend some time with them, which I’m looking forward to doing, giving back to the community and making an impact on the young fellas’ journey.

“I’m looking forward to playing for fun.

“When I don’t have that pressure to perform week to week, I can just go about my preparation and relax. This is about giving back, for me, and having some fun.”

Adding to the fun for Nona will be the presence of his brother Marcus, who was a regular for Western Lions in 2023.

The pair will join forces at the Bulls in a generational mirror image of their uncles, who also played together at Souths when they lived in Townsville.

“Having a bit of family come through the club is nice,” Nona said. “I’m quite excited about being here.

“The fact that my brother is here as well is a bonus and I’m looking forward to strapping on the boots with him.”