Saturday night in Mareeba the Skill360 Northern Pride take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in what is sure to be a great spectacle and great for the region.  There is sure to be a large crowd on hand to witness a history making event in Mareeba with an NRL club coming to town to take on the Pride.

The Dragons have named a strong team made up NRL squad and U20 players.  There are 6 Dragons who have been training in the NRL Squad and 7 Australian Schoolboys graduates.  The Dragons U20’s were the Minor Premiers in the Toyota Cup last year and look strong again in 2010.  Many of the players named will be regular first graders and rep players in the years to come with players to watch including members of the Dragons Top 25 squad Cameron King, Jack Stockwell, Alex McKinnon and Mitch Rein. King and Stockwell where members of the Australian Schoolboys last year while squad members Jarrod Thompson, Wes Suckley and Travis Roche also represented at this level previously.

Dragons Coach and former Cairns local Adrian Lam is under no illusions about the challenge his young team faces.

 “We have picked our strongest young players to head up there. The club wants to see these boys step up and see who can match it. I have a few contacts still up in Cairns and have told my guys what can be expected. It will be tough, hard and fast, but the players are jumping out of there skin” Lam said after the teams final run before heading north.

When quizzed on the players the Pride should be wary of he was quick to name hookers Cameron king and Mitch rein. “Our two dummy halves are good footballers who the club has big hopes for. While they are not quiet there yet, I am sure anyone who gets along on Saturday will get an idea why they have the potential to step up in the future” Lam stated.

“We also have a couple of boys followers of the Toyota Cup would know, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa on the wing was a real crowd favourite last year, while the likes of Wes Suckley and Sam Campbell have been regulars for the past two years and looking to get an opportunity in the NRL at some stage this year”

Lam said having the likes of Shaun Timmins and Brett Morris travelling with the team gave the players on the fringe the opportunity to listen and learn to two guys who had represented at the highest level. “Brett is a great example to players at this level, he started the year at the same level as these guys last year, playing away from the main squad, and fought back to represent Australia at the end of the year. And having Timmo on board will certainly keep everyone entertained, and he has a lot to offer with all the experience he gained in 13 yrs at the top”

The veteran of 14 Origin games for Queensland said that he couldn’t believe the enthusiasm of his side to get to Cairns and play, with only one member of his squad having travelled to the area before”We will get the footy out of the way first, then they can play tourist on Sunday morning” the coach quipped, “because I have told them they breed em big and tough up there, so they better be ready!!! “

Operations Manager Chris Sheppard said “this trial follows our commitment to hosting trials throughout the region and bringing the opportunity for all of the region to witness our games firsthand while also giving the local clubs a bit of a financial boost.”

“We have quite a strong team named for the clash and are looking to build into the start of the season and hopefully a very successful season again in 2010.”

President of the Mareeba Gladiators Peter Christopher said “It’s great to see that the Northern Pride are acknowledging their fan base in the outer lying areas – there were 7 tableland players in last seasons Grand Final side. It will also be great for our local junior players to see first hand the intensity and focus displayed from warm up through to the game itself and the whole area is looking forward to the clash.”

Northern Pride Head Coach Dave Maiden said “the boys are looking forward to playing St George and with the two trials on this weekend nearly everyone will get a run.  We have named quite a strong side to play the Dragons and look forward to a great trial.  I am really looking forward to seeing Jaiman Lowe, Ryan Stig and Mark Dalle Cort play as we see big things ahead for them this year.”

There will also be a coaching clinic in Mareeba Saturday morning held by the Pride and Dragons from 10am-12noon with all kids invited along.  The coaching clinic is free and will have lots of fun activities, games and so on for the kids to enjoy with some poster signings and a Q&A session to close the session.

Be sure to pre-purchase your tickets for the game to avoid long queues. They are available from the Northern Pride office, Pride Leagues Club, Brothers Leagues Club and Mareeba Leagues Club with Corporate Tickets available by calling Chris Sheppard on 4031 3511 or 0411 465 731.

NORTHERN PRIDE                      ST GEORGE/ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1.  Chey Bird                                      1. Chris Astill  
2.  Darryl Grant                                  2. Kalifa Fai Fai Loa
3.  Nick Obodin                                 3. Travis Roche
4.  Mark Dalle Cort                           4. Jarred Brodrick
5.  Kaine Manihera                          5. Dave Cattarall
6.  Chris Riesen                              6. Kane Gillies
7.  Ryan Stig                                     7. Scott Rosser
8.  Alex Starmer                               8. Justin King
9.  Jason Roos                                9. Cameron King
10. Jamian Lowe                           10.Jack Stockwell
11. Noel Underwood                     11.Sam Campbell
12. Ben Spina                                 12.Alex McKinnon
13. Rod Griffin                                 13.Wes Suckley
 
14. Jay Aston                                   14. Max Ray
15. Chris Sheppard                       15. Jack DeBelin
16. Drew Campbell                       16. Jarrod Thompson
17. Ben Fitzpatrick                         17. Mitch Rein
18. Ben Laity                                   18. Tim Moore
19. Freddie Fauid                          19. Simon Maslanka
20. Nigel Naawi                             20. Kyle Mallyon
21. Sonny Rea                           
22. Siaosi Liumaunu