Pride to put trust in effort

NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams has his fingers crossed his side can replicate last week’s training heroics to record back-to-back wins for the first time in 2017.

The club needs to start stringing wins together to claw back an up-and-down beginning to the season, and even against the might of Souths Logan, Williams says his big men are up to the test.

“Physically they’re big, they’re going to come through the middle at us and we know that so another test for our big boys and I think they’re up for the challenge,” he said.

Williams said the best week of training of the season was the catalyst for the Round 10 win against Tweed Heads and hoped to see more of the same.

“The way we train is the way we play and that’s the belief that I believe in and the boys need to start instilling that and they’re starting to do that now,” he said.

“It’s the same this weekend. We need to train how we play, tick all the boxes so come Sunday we’re good to go.”

Javid Bowen’s return from a shoulder injury suffered against Norths is a crucial for the Pride, with Williams stating his hesitance to bring vicecaptain Justin Castellaro back too early from a rib injury despite naming him in the extended squad.

The inclusion of the Cowboys centre, who has 52 games experience with the Pride, should help solve some issues with finishing attacking opportunities last weekend.

“Jango’s been here for a few years now so I think that will help us over the weekend having him back in that left centre and obviously Khan (Ahwang) holds his position again,” Williams said.

“He was outstanding on the weekend. We might have found a home other than fullback.”

Joel Riethmuller is in doubt with a knee injury, while Gideon Gela-Mosby has a twomatch suspension.