CDRL guns knock on the Cup door
NORTHERN Pride’s recent woes could trigger a reshuffle at the Barlow Park club, after coach Ty Williams put players on notice after their historic loss to Tweed Seagulls.
The team has slumped to 12th on the Hostplus Cup table after repeated silly and unnecessary errors and penalties cruelled its chances of competing in recent weeks.
Williams has threatened to swing the axe if players don’t address their ill discipline, and there are a number of candidates who are performing in the Cairns District Rugby League and are ready to step up to replace them.
Kangaroos winger Daniel Woodhouse is banging on the door for a Hostplus Cup debut.
Woodhouse has always been blessed with speed and an elusive step, but he added strength and confidence after a full off-season with the Pride.
He impressed plenty of staff at the club, one of whom rates him the best winger in the CDRL, and he is ready to pounce if Williams looks to mix up his outside backs.
Williams has stuck solid with the likes of Shawn Bowen, Gideon GelaMosby, Bernard Lewis, Robert Derby and Mark Rosendale.
Will Partridge is due to return from injury soon but if there’s a hint of further change, Woodhouse is ready.
Taniela Ta’ufo’ou is no stranger to the Pride, having been part of the club’s under-21s last season, but the second-rower is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of a debut.
Ta’ufo’ou has been at his damaging best in the CDRL, whether that was for Innisfail’s run to the grand final last year or in Brothers’ strong start to the 2022 campaign.
He busts tackles, hits hard in defence and is familiar with the system. His consistent form resulted in him signing a new deal with the Pride for this season.
Their potential call-ups depend partly on players returning from injury. Williams is set to welcome back a number of players in the next few weeks.
Partridge is getting closer to a return since being injured in the first round, while fellow former Redcliffe Dolphin Joey Ratuvakacerivalu could be back this weekend.
Evan Child hasn’t played since being injured against Redcliffe three weeks ago, and could do a job in the halves or the centres.
Ivanhoes hooker Jacob Wallace has been in good form for his CDRL club but is behind co-captains Chris Ostwald and Jayden Hodges, while Kangaroos lock Denzel King has been 18th man but not called upon.
Under-21s leader Ryan Flegler would also not look out of place.
The season is just about on the line already, and if the existing 17 can’t get the job done, there are plenty of places Williams can turn.