Steadman steps up in battle of halves
IT IS the positional battle bringing out the best in two playmakers — and could spur the Northern Pride on to even greater success.
Young Pride playmaker Tom Steadman has impressed in the opening four games of the Intrust Super Cup, but the former North Sydney Bear can’t afford to take his foot off the gas with Matthew Egan breathing down his neck.
Egan joined the club last year, but has been playing for Innisfail in the Cairns District Rugby League after Steadman got the nod for round one — then has barely put a foot wrong since.
Pride assistant coach Sam Obst said their attitudes were bringing out the best of both players, as they fight for one position in the halves.
“Tommy’s been good so far, and he’s eager to learn,” Obst said. “It’s the same with Matty Egan, they’re both keen to listen and to get the best out of themselves.
“Tommy got the nod for the first round. He’s still got a bit of work to do on a few little things — the same as Matt — and we’re helping where we can.
“That competition, it keeps Tommy on his toes, and they keep stringing good performances together.”
Obst, a former halfback who steered the club to the minor premiership in 2013 and the Intrust Super CupNRL State Championship double in 2014, played more than 60 games for the club before his retirement at the end of 2015. He said both Steadman and Egan proved they were willing and eager to learn and improve.
That healthy and consistent competition is keeping Steadman on his toes as he battles to maintain his grip on a starting jersey.
Steadman has been rock solid for the Pride in his first Intrust Super Cup campaign at Barlow Park, working well with Cowboys allocations Ben Hampton and Jake Clifford across the first four games of the season.
A handy goalkicker, Steadman, who joined the club from the North Sydney Bears, has improved his defensive efficiency with every game, and shown what he is capable of with the ball.
It was Steadman who fired the long, bullet-like cut-out pass to Bernard Lewis in the final minutes of the rivalry clash with Blackhawks to steal the 30-26 victory.
Pride coach Ty Williams said Steadman, who will wear the No 7 in Saturday’s home game against the undefeated Norths Devils, could become more lethal as his combination with second-rower Josh Stuckey evolved.
“He’s been good, there’s still some finer areas to tweak with his game but I think he’s getting used to playing with Stuckey,” Williams said.
“Remember Stuckey was training with the Cowboys, so they didn’t really get to play until the trials, so they’re starting to get a combination together. (I’m) happy with the way he performed on the weekend, but as I said, that’s last week; this week is an even bigger challenge now against a very good Norths team.”
But Steadman is facing tough competition from Egan for the only available position in the halves.
Egan has been electric for Innisfail Leprechauns in the CDRL, and is keeping plenty of pressure on Steadman to perform.