Pride have the will to fight
In mix for finals but strength, character may be greatest achievement
Northern Pride coach Ty Williams may try to hide it but somewhere deep inside, the young mentor must admire the powerful bond his playing group has forged. Williams’ dictum in 2018 has been to only worry about the things they can control. It’s a working-class mantra that would appeal to his core group of players, who all have day jobs on top of their club commitments.
NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams may try to hide it but somewhere deep inside, the young mentor must admire the powerful bond his playing group has forged in a year that’s had all the drama of a daytime soap opera.
Williams’ dictum to his loyal charges in 2018 has been to only worry about the things they can control.
He’s used it everywhere, from fiery pre-game speeches in dilapidated training sheds to mid-week press conferences and on the training paddock.
It’s a working-class mantra that would appeal to his core group of players, who all have day jobs on top of their club commitments.
But Williams would know better than anyone that his credo would have been tested numerous times this year.
So many questions have plagued the club this season.
Who will run the Pride in 2019? Will Todd Carney get an NRL contract? Why did Carney leave the team? Why is the CEO not in the office at the moment? When will the interminable string of road trips end?
The pressure has been immense. Through it all, the Pride have endured to sit fifth on the ladder despite losing their past two contests.
While future Cowboys star Jake Clifford has stolen the headlines, Jordan Biondi-Odo, Bradley Stephen, Connor Jones and even Matthew Musumeci of late have all emerged as quality Intrust Super Cup players capable of leading the club for years to come.
Sheldon Powe-Hobbs is undoubtedly the team’s heartand-soul player, overcoming a career-threatening neck injury to evolve into an inspirational leader.
You’d stand a little taller with big “Sheldo” lining up next to you, while the no-nonsense approach of centre Brett Anderson and skipper Ryan Ghietti has been outstanding.
The Pride was founded with the aim of guiding “born and bred” talent into the next phase of their career.
But the strength and character the players develop as people and leaders in seasons like these may be the Pride’s greatest achievement.
Tomorrow, the players will knock off work, then travel to Cooktown to play the Ipswich Jets on Saturday afternoon.
It will mark the sixth consecutive match they’ve played away from Barlow Park, with yet another road game to come against the Sunshine Coast next week.
If the Pride can make it through another gruelling fortnight, they have a chance to be a serious finals threat.
For the Pride’s next game in Cairns – on Saturday, August 4 against the CQ Capras – the fans should fill the grandstand to show their support.
But for now, as Williams has said all year, the Pride can only worry about what they can control. And that is more than enough.