Ambitious Denny set for Devil of a reunion
Rashaun Denny has had this game circled on his calendar since the moment the Hostplus Cup draw was released.
However, the Northern Pride centre’s focus is very much on achieving his goal of securing an opportunity with an NRL club.
Denny will come up against his former club, Norths Devils, for the first time since moving to Cairns this past off-season, and while there’s already been a few shots fired between he and some former teammates, the strike weapon is intent on having the last laugh at Bishop Park on Saturday evening.
“We didn’t have such a great week last week so a few of them gave me a voice message and a bit of grief after they beat the Cutters,” Denny said.
“They planted the seeds already to get into my head. “But it’s all friendly banter.” Denny played 24 games for the Devils in their back-toback premiership campaigns of 2021-22, and has become a key component of the Pride’s back line since moving to the Far North.
He was in tough competition to secure a spot in the Devils’ top side, which forced the finisher into the Brisbane Rugby League for large parts of the season.
And while he admitted to “cold feet” at the start of his stint with the Barlow Park club, Denny has thrived under coach Ty Williams as he seeks an opportunity in the NRL.
“That’s the ultimate goal, get a train and trial deal of some sort with a NRL club,” Denny said.
“That comes with good performances week in, week out, so the goal for the season is to play consistent footy. If I play consistent footy, that result will happen.
“The move has been great, I’ve loved every moment since I came up here.
“I had cold feet at the start. I was unsure if moving up here was the best option for me, but once I got here, it was great.
“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
“We’re on the positive side of things, a lot to work on, and hopefully we can take that into this game and beat the old club.”
Williams has been impressed by the form one of his key off-season recruitment targets.
Where Denny had previously played on the wing for Norths, Williams has given the strike weapon the opportunity to play - and thrive - at centre.
Even in last week’s tough loss to Wynnum-Manly, Williams was happy with elements of Denny’s defensive game while also using the contest as an educational piece.
“Last week, he was defensively outstanding against Delouise Hoeter, (but the) carries weren’t up to the levels we expect, and we’ve spoken about it,” Williams said.
“The game didn’t allow the ball to come to him in patches, so that’s a development piece for him to go I need to go after it. Those involvements need to be a tad higher – he probably only had five runs for the game.
“But he’s been sensational since he’s been here. It’s been a good breath of fresh air for me to coach.
“When he came to us in November, we changed a few defensive movements and reads in the game that were just for him playing centre.
“He’ll always be a big body when he carries the football, he’s got beautiful footwork, it’s just me enabling him the confidence to continue to do that.
“His biggest critic is himself, which puts self doubt in his mind, and I’m constantly developing that with him.
“He’s a good footballer, he just has to keep working hard.”
The Pride will travel to Brisbane on Saturday to face the Devils at 5pm.