Marama on mission to rebuild Devils

THE captain-coach who helped transform Mossman-Port Douglas into a premiership powerhouse has arrived in Townsville on a mission to resurrect the Norths Devils.

Joel Marama, the former Northern Pride and Capras backrower who led the Sharks to the FNQ Rugby League grand final last season, is the most significant off-season addition in years at Peggy Banfield Park and not for his playing prowess alone.

Marama’s network of contacts represents a gold mine of talent who will help rebuild the Devils.

Norths has one draw and zero wins to show from its last 41 fixtures stretching back to 2018, but that is precisely the reason Marama said he chose the Devils.

“It just reminds me of the club I’ve had the last couple of years up at Mossman,” Marama said.

“I base my morals around whether I can help my family out or if I can help someone else out.

“They (Norths) are starting to rebuild now and they’re wanting new motives and to change the culture a little bit.

“I get a bit of a kick out of that, building towards something. That’s what interests me the most because winning isn’t everything. I’m here to try to bring the club a little closer.”

Marama will draw upon his experiences from the dark days of the Sharks to repeat the process with his newest club.

“Over the last couple of years Mossman did have that culture of trying to win, trying to be competitive,” Marama said.

“The obvious similarities are that Mossman had the right people in management at the top and it only took a year. We got a couple of players together and that switched it around. We won in 2018 and we were pretty strong when I left (in 2022).”

Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks president Jason Fasano said Marama would “work miracles” for his new club.

“That’s the way he is,” Fasano said. “I’m sure there would be great clubs down there who would have wanted him but that’s what he does, he helps out clubs to be better. He will work miracles with them. He is a top, top bloke and he’s got a good following among the players who have a fair bit of respect for him.”