Pride aim for glory in front of big crowd
NORTHERN Pride coach Jason Demetriou has felt a smile creep across his face every day he’s gone to work at Barlow Park this week.
The former UK Super League player gazes at the venue’s temporary grandstands and imagines what the atmosphere will be like for Sunday’s NRL clash between the Rabbitohs and Titans.
The Pride, who lead the Intrust Super Cup, play the second-placed Ipswich Jets in a curtain-raiser to the main game.
Demetriou said the occasion had him and his players buzzing with anticipation.
‘‘We set ourselves a goal a month ago to be going into this game with form because it’s an occasion for our players to play in front of a crowd they probably won’t play in front of for the rest of the season,’’ he said.
‘‘To play in front of two iconic brands, especially the South Sydney one, and then to finish our game and sit on the terraces and watch these superstars of our game play (will be great).
‘‘Some of our guys have ambitions to play in the NRL one day. To get up close and personal and see what it takes to do that is a fantastic opportunity for them.’’
Demetriou hopes Cairns footy fans arrive at the ground early to support the Pride.
‘‘ There’s already a buzz about town around people saying they want to get here to watch our game as well,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s like the rugby gods have smiled on us.
‘‘ We’ve got the two best teams in the Intrust Super Cup going head to head. It’s also one versus five in the NRL.’’
Kick-off for the Pride versus Jets match is at 11.45am.