Williams issues rally cry to Pride
NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams has urged his troops to stand up and meet the challenge of a big, physical PNG unit when they welcome the Hunters to Barlow Park.
The Hunters are coming off two weeks of rest courtesy of the bye and Easter break, and will travel to Cairns to confront a Pride outfit which has been warned to step up and meet the challenge head on.
Pride coach Ty Williams and his troops will not shy away from the physical challenge presented by the Hunters, though the visitors present more than just big bodies, with the Stanley Tependcoached side bringing more shape to their playing style.
“They’re a physical, big team, but they play a different type of structure this time in the footage I’ve seen, they’re throwing a fair bit of shape around which isn’t really known for PNG,” he said.
“They still have the aggressive power they possess, and as coaches we love to coach that, but they have that in natural ability.
“We know where they will challenge us and that is physically, and we need to be prepared for that.”
Williams urged his side to step up and defend their turf. “Fight the battle,” he said. “Don’t stand back and wait for it; go after it.
“They’re full-time athletes up there, it’s their job, we know it won’t be an easy task, it’s proven over the first month of football we’ll take any challenge on and this is no different.”
Williams said his side had to play smart as they chase a third win from four games.
“We need to play smart, and (Chris) Ostwald holds the key to that, our captain and hooker, just making sure we’re switched on with that,” Williams said.
“That second stint (against Townsville) was exceptional, he got us through the middle of the field and set us up for the field goal. He’ll be key for us.”