Ty has chance to test line-up

A HOMECOMING of sorts will ease Ty Williams into the next step of his coaching career in a trial game today.

It’s the start of a whirlwind month of decision making as Northern Pride coach.

Selections are on the line for the players throughout February and the Pride’s young guns will get first crack against the Cowboys under-20s, finally giving players the chance to apply their game-orientated training.

Williams said returning to Callendar Park, where he spent the 2016 CDRL season in charge, was an ideal place for him to jump into Intrust Super Cup on-field preparation.

“Mate, it’s exciting. I’m nervous but excited for what’s ahead for us and the boys have done really good so far and I think they’re just ready to rip into an actual game and get into contact,” he said.

“I’ll be fairly relaxed, actually. It has been a massive step up obviously from coaching Innisfail to the Pride, just with the quality of players you get to train with every session.

“The attention to detail they have is second to none, so I’m confident in what we’ve done so far in the past three months.

“Within the group we know what we’re capable of and we’ve got a bit of confidence about us, so I think we’ve set ourselves up OK. I’ll be OK.

“Whatever the result is doesn’t really phase us, these trials are about us and getting combinations and giving guys an opportunity and if the ball hits the ground, it is what it is.”

Brad Lupi will be the first big name off-season signing to get a run in the trial season while Nathan Wales will have his first Pride game since 2015 after taking a year off to travel.

Outside backs Sam Pau, Ivanhoes grand final hero Troyson Bassini, Bradley Stephen and Patrick Lewis all have the chance to press for open Round 1 positions pendings Cowboys allocations.

The Northern Pride under-20s will have their first run in a trial against Mareeba Gladiators at 6pm after the main game at 4pm.