HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR LOCK
Casey-Douglas could be key to Pride’s future
BIGGER, stronger, and with more Intrust Super Cup experience than ever, Terrence Casey-Douglas could become one of the keys of Northern Pride’s forward pack in 2022.
The Normanton product has recommitted to the Pride for next season, adding to a pack which has already been bolstered by the re-signings of six forwards, including frontrow pair Paea Pua and Nick Lui-Toso.
And it could be the year this 190cm, 107kg prop comes into his own.
He made his Intrust Super Cup debut in 2019, playing 14 games in the top squad during a season in which the club struggled.
It wasn’t the way Pride coach Ty Williams wanted to introduce the big man into Queensland’s top rugby league competition, but that experience – which now stands at 25 appearances – is starting to pay off.
Casey-Douglas has become a key member of Williams’ squad.
He has been named in Williams’ extended squad almost every week, missing out on the match day 17 when allocated players returned from the Cowboys, and will start at lock for the third time this season against Tweed Seagulls on Saturday.
Casey-Douglas has shown plenty in his 11 games this year, stepping up when called upon – either from the bench or in his two starts at lock - and delivering in spades.
Add to that his first tries at Intrust Super Cup level, and Williams sees significant upside in the man.
“He’s been a very good player for us, he’s been one of our project players and has developed well,” Williams said. “He struggled at the start but he’s getting it now.
“At the start of the year he probably wasn’t someone we would’ve named in the 17, but he’s come on in leaps and bounds since then.”
The key for Casey-Douglas to become an even better player, Williams said, was how he handled himself off the field.
With the pace of the game significantly increasing with recent rule changes, players, especially forwards, have to be fitter than ever.
Casey-Douglas has a tendency to drop off when under fatigue, but it’s believed that if he can get that right, he could become a genuine force.
“It’s managing the lifestyle outside of footy,” Williams said.
“It’s making sure that in pre-season he maintains that good diet and stays in shape.
“The game is so quick now we have to be on top of that with everyone.
“If he gets that right, he will be an exceptional player for the Pride.”
Casey-Douglas’s re-signing means the Pride has locked away much of their forward pack.
Front-row partners Pua and LuiToso, co-captains and hookers Chris Ostwald and Jayden Hodges, and back-rowers Ewan Moore and Tom McGrath are among those to have already committed for 2022.