CHRISTIAN’S DREAM SET TO BECOME REALITY
It’s been a long time coming
THIS is the moment Julian Christian has been waiting for.
Christian will realise a boyhood dream on Sunday when he wears the Cowboys jersey for the first time in the Barlow Park trial against the Dolphins, in what could be a make-orbreak season for the halfback-turnedfullback.
It has been a lifelong dream for Christian to line up for the Cowboys, and while it may officially be a trial as part of the NRL’s pre-season challenge, it is a massive moment for the 25-year-old.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I started playing footy at sixyear-old,” Christian said.
“It’s been a long time coming for myself and my family, especially being from the footprint, from NQ. “I’m really excited and can’t wait.” Christian has spent much of the pre-season in Townsville.
He was put through his paces at Cowboys HQ for six weeks leading into Christmas, then invited back by the North Queensland NRL club ahead of this trial opportunity.
Christian has been named to come off the bench, though it’s understood he will share fullback duties with exciting Cowboys youngster Tom Chester.
It is part of an extensive learning process for Christian, who enjoyed a decorated schoolboys career in the halves and hooker.
He is a former Peter Sterling Medal winner as the best schoolboy in the country, and was part of the Broncos’ under-20s system before spending time with the Ipswich Jets.
A return to the Far North came midway through 2021 when he linked with Innisfail, taking the Leprechauns to the FNQ Rugby League grand final, before linking with the Pride for 2022.
That is when things changed. Pride coach Ty Williams saw an opportunity to turn this outstanding playmaker who thrived in a natural, eyes-up style of rugby league which allowed him to get the best out of his explosive speed and vision.
Christian is the first to admit he’s still learning the finer points of being a fullback, but he’s taken to his rugby league education like a sponge.
“I’ve learned heaps,” Christian said. “I came through the ranks as a half or hooker, and only recently made the change last year for fullback for the Pride.
“I got invited to the Cowboys as a fullback, so just been soaking everything up from fellas like Scotty Drinkwater and Toddy (Payten, coach), just the little things. Like number splits in defence, stuff which I didn’t realise we needed to do, but is very important as a fullback.
“Directing the boys around, telling them where to go, getting those number splits right, playing the short sides and being where I need to be in the team, in the structure.
“There’s been so much I’ve learned since being here this pre-season. Looking forward to putting it to the test.”
Williams noticed the change when Christian returned to Pride training in January and believes this could be a make-or-break season for the fullback now he’s had a bigger taste of being in an NRL system.
”From the moment he stepped on the park, he took it by the horns and went after it,” Williams said.
“He led the boys really well, the conversations he has with his teammates is the key we’ve seen from him.
“We know he’s physically developed a little bit over a period of time being down there, but the commentary and conversations he’s had, I think that’s been the most impressive thing.
“He’s learned a lot in his period down there. You can see the drive in him now, he’s had a taste.
“You have to remember he’s won the Peter Sterling Medal for a schoolboy but never given an opportunity to fulfil his potential.
“We’re going to see the best of Jules moving forward. It’s just the start. I think this will be the year where he either makes it or breaks it, so it’s going to be exciting for us.”
Christian will return to the Pride’s No.1 jersey for the upcoming Hostplus Cup season, and along with that will bring plenty of knowledge to improve his – and his teammates’ – game.
“All the stuff I’ve learned, Ty and the staff said it too, bring back what I’ve learned and pass it on to our guys, and use it so I can keep moving on up, keep increasing my knowledge to make my game better,” he said.
“I want to get better and get more opportunities with the Cows or any NRL team. I’ve learned heaps, just need to use the things I’ve learned here to teach the boys and make our chances better this year for the Northern Pride.”
Kick-off is at 5pm.