Joy for Jutters as grind pays off

FIVE years of gruelling toil has finally led to Justin Castellaro bringing up his 50th game for the Northern Pride and of course, he wants to win.

You might say the same of every footy player but it has been hard-earned for the 26year-old, who has risen to any challenge put in front of him, whether it be forcing his way into being a Pride regular or stepping up to international rugby league with Italy.

Injuries have temporarily got in his way, but Castellaro takes it in his stride and it’s an attitude that has deservedly seen things start falling into place.

“It has taken a lot longer than anticipated but it’s great to finally get there after a few hiccups,” he said.

“My knee has probably been the main one. It pretty much kept me out for two seasons. I played the first 11 games of 2014 before I hurt it and I came back in 2015 and played the last eight games, but I was playing on one leg. I’ve had to manage it since, really.

“Everything seems to have fallen into place in the past two years so I’ve been pretty lucky.”

Castellaro said it was an honour to now play with the ‘VC’ next to his name as he tried to lead by example.

“I just don’t like letting my family and friends down and the boys and the people who have supported me. I always go out there giving my all until I can’t anymore,” he said.

Northern Pride coach Ty Williams said Castellaro was valued just as much for his off- field leadership as his on-field feats and he was thrilled to see him reach the milestone.

“I started playing here just as ‘Jutters’ first came up here from Ingham and to see him develop from a local league footballer into a regular Q-Cup player, go on to play for Italy, it’s pretty impressive what he’s done,” Williams said.

Castellaro will have a new man on his outside tomorrow in Bradley Stephen, returning to the Intrust Super Cup for the first time since his maiden appearance in 2015 after Gideon Gela-Mosby was called up to the Cowboys

Williams said he was leaning towards starting Col Wilkie after a strong performance last week and putting Patrick Mago on the bench.