Pride squad go to hell and back

THE short term pain of blisters, bruises and battered egos will be forgiven if the Northern Pride storm into the Intrust Super Cup finals this year.

The Pride squad was put to the test at a gruelling three-day pre-season camp.

Designed to push their mental and physical limits, the exercise was also designed to ensure players developed a closer bond ahead of the Intrust Super Cup season.

Co-captain Dave Murphy (right) told the Cairns Post it would take some time for the squad to learn how beneficial the tough session was for players, but he was adamant the players had developed a much closer bond.

“It took us to a place a lot of the boys have never been, and a place the boys never want to go again,” Murphy said.

“It certainly helps the boys get out of their shell.

“When you’ve got five minutes to go in a tight game you know you’ve been together in a worse situation. There’s a lot of benefits there.”

Pride players surrendered their phones when they boarded the bus to their mystery destination, a simple policy that took away any chance of distraction and forced the players to build relationships.

“It forced you to talk, because if it got quiet you’d start to think bad thoughts, like quitting,” he said.

“We’re definitely a much closer group now, but for now we’ll just wait for the blisters to heal.”

The Pride are due to play Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters in a trial at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville, this Saturday, but flooding may force a reschedule.

The squad will play further trials against the Mossman Sharks and Cairns Foley Shield side on February 16 before all three grades face the Blackhawks at Alley Park, Gordonvale, on February 23.