Cowboys quintet give Pride big trial boost

By Andrew Piva @ The Cairns Post | Published: 22/02/2012

THE Northern Pride have been bolstered by the inclusion of five North Queensland Cowboys for their final trial of the preseason against the Mackay Cutters in Moranbah on Saturday.

Forwards Cory Paterson, Luke Harlen, Joel Riethmuller, Ricky Thorby and hooker James Segeyaro have been included in the Pride’s 19-man squad, which will take on a Cutters team also sprinkled with Cowboys.

Pride coach David Maiden said the addition of NRL players would add to the intensity of the clash.

“I’m expecting it to be pretty full-on,” he said. “A lot of those Cowboys players will be playing for their positions and (Cowboys coach) Neil Henry will be coming down to watch the game, so they’ll have a point to prove.

“But the Northern Pride have a great rivalry with Mackay in the Intrust Super Cup, anyway. There’s never any favours asked for and never any given.”

Centre Brett Anderson is the only player to back up from the Pride’s 94-0 win over the Indigenous All Stars last week but will hand over the captaincy duties to fullback Ty Williams, who played much of last year at five-eighth. However, Maiden is undecided how he will use the former Origin winger when the season starts.

“He was very good in the game against the Cowboys under-20s at fullback,” Maiden said of Williams. “But Ty’s the type of player who you can put anywhere and he’ll do the job.

“I’m very happy with the job he’s done at fullback. Whether he stays there, I don’t know.

“But with a young side it’s good having him out there because he gives me an extra set of eyes.”

Regular fullback Chey Bird and veteran winger Rod Jensen have not been included in the squad, but Maiden said that did not mean they weren’t in contention to play round one against Ipswich on March 10.

“The thing is I know what Roddy and Chey can do,” he said.

Northern Pride Team

1. Ty Williams, 2. Hezron Murgha, 3. Brett Anderson, 4. Davin Crampton, 5. Scott Gibson, 6. Ryam Ghietti, 7. Shaun Nona, 8. Luke Harlen, 9. Jason Roos, 10. Ben Laity, 11. Cory Paterson, 12. Ben Spina, 13. Joel Riethmuller, 14. James Segeyaro, 15. Luke Saunders, 16. Jamie Frizzo, 17. Ricky Thorby, 18. Saia Makisi, 19. Ethan Lowe

Channel 9 to Broadcast Intrust Super Cup

By QRL Media | Published: 21/02/2012

 

THE Intrust Super Cup’s standing as one of the leading second-tier sporting competitions in the country has been further enhanced today by confirmation that Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports would broadcast live matches on Sundays at 2pm.

The announcement coincides with an exciting new era for the Queensland Rugby League (QRL), which has recently undergone a change of leadership and restructure.

QRL chief executive Robert Moore said the state’s governing body and the Intrust Super Cup clubs had worked side by side in a concerted effort to get the partnership with Channel Nine off the ground.

“From the clubs’ point of view, they’ve got a piece of this as much as we have got a piece,” Moore said.

“We will be able to forge a very healthy relationship on the back of it.”

Nine’s coverage will kick off with the explosive round one grand final re-match between Wynnum Manly and Tweed Heads at BMD Kougari Oval on March 11.

“This match will be a terrific contest between two strong clubs who produced a great spectacle in last year’s grand final,” Moore said.

“The fact that Channel Nine have jumped at the opportunity to broadcast the competition reinforces the Intrust Super Cup’s reputation as the best second-tier sporting competition in Australia.”

He said the new alliance with Nine could pave the way for valuable commercial opportunities, with the potential spin-offs to provide a genuine boost for the competing clubs and the game of rugby league itself.

“Although the ABC has been great for us over many years, it has been difficult having a competition sponsor who doesn’t get too much mileage out of it,” Moore said.

“One of the major benefits with the new arrangement is that we can actually commercialise elements that we previously couldn’t do with the ABC.”

Nine’s one-year deal to broadcast the state’s premier competition includes coverage of the finals series, which is set down for the opening weekend in September.

And in new ground for the competition, each of the three northern regional teams (Northern Pride, Mackay Cutters and Central Capras) will have the television cameras at their grounds this year.

Channel 9 broadcast schedule (up to Round 4). Matches below will be live on Channel 9 at 2pm on Sundays.

Round 1 (March 11) Wynnum Manly v Tweed Heads @ Kougari Oval

Round 2 Sunshine Coast v Souths Logan @ Sunshine Coast Stadium

Round 3 Redcliffe Dolphins v Ipswich Jets @ Dolphin Oval

Round 4 Burleigh Bears v Easts Tigers @ Pizzey Park

Northern Pride at best for Cutters trial

By Andrew Piva @ The Cairns Post | Published: 20/02/2012

NORTHERN Pride coach David Maiden will unleash a full-strength side for the club’s final trial against the Mackay Cutters at Moranbah on Saturday.

The Pride scored their second win of the preseason at the weekend when they romped to a 94-0 victory over the FNQ Indigenous All Stars at Barlow Park.

With the exception of centre Brett Anderson and forwards Alex Starmer and Mark Dalle Cort, the Pride line-up was filled with fringe players and triallists for the All Stars clash.

But Maiden won’t hold back against the Cutters, and faces the unenviable task of squeezing out local players to cater for the returning Cowboys contingent.

“Our last trial is always as close to our first-round team as possible, so I expect all the Cowboys players we have to come back,” Maiden said. “It’s a tough ask next week. There are going to be some (local) players who aren’t playing who should be playing.

“It’s the nature of our beast. By about round five or six it settles down and we’re sort of into a rhythm by then. But the first few rounds are tough on the local guys who have been training since November.”

Most of those players performed the roles Maiden hoped they would in the Pride’s demolition of the All Stars. Anderson bagged a hat-trick of tries before halftime and No. 7 Shaun Nona slotted 15 from 16 conversions as a ruthless Pride showed no mercy towards their gallant, but ultimately outclassed, opponents.

The All Stars couldn’t combat the 2010 Queensland Cup premiers’ structure and discipline as the scoreboard ticked over faster than the match clock.

But while happy with how his team attacked, Maiden was more pleased to keep the All Stars pointless.

Pride tries: Anderson (3), Kerwick (3), Mosby (2), B. Oosen, Fitzpatrick, Nawia, M. Oosen, Castellaro, Binawel, Smith and Schultz. Conversions: Nona 15

Northern Pride Players to Meet Fans at Hip Pocket

By Northern Pride | Published: 17/02/2012

Members of the Northern Pride Intrust Super Cup squad will be at Hip Pocket Workwear on Mulgrave Road from 10am until 12 noon for the famous Hip Pocket Car Park Sale tomorrow (Saturday 18th).

Hip Pocket pride themselves on offering customers Quality, Value and Service.

From the worksite to the office, hospitality, healthcare, sports uniforms, embroidery and so much more Hip Pocket have everything you need. Backed up by national buying power with locally owned service Hip Pocket  will save you time and money.

Find out more at www.hippocketworkwear.com.au, call the team on 4054 0540 or come experience the bargains on sale on Saturday morning.

Members of the Northern Pride will be on site from 10am to meet fans, sign autographs and celebrate the beginning of the new rugby league season.

The Northern Pride play their first home trial game against the Far North Queensland Indigenous All Stars  7pm at Barlow Park on Saturday.

Passion before Pride for FNQ All Stars

By Joe Flynn @ The Cairns Post | Published: 17/02/2012

”THEY have the pride, but we have the passion.”

That is the message manager Wally Guivarra will deliver to his FNQ Indigenous All Stars before they take on the Northern Pride tomorrow night.

The two teams met for the first time last night in a joint training session in front of Pride coach David Maiden.

For players on both sides, the game represents an opportunity to impress Maiden, but Guivarra insists there will be more on the line than just making a good impression.

“We’re representing our people, so the boys will be desperate for a win,” Guivarra said. “We’re realistic. We’re playing against a Pride team that’s been regular semi-finalists in the Queensland Cup. “But even (last) night the boys started to saying ‘we can win this’.’’

And he expects plenty of support at Barlow Park.

“The Pride are a well supported team, but we think a fair percentage of people will be backing us.”

Brett Anderson, who will captain the team in the absence of Ty Williams, said the Pride would not be taking the All Stars lightly.

The Pride team will consist mostly of youngsters keen to prove they can become a permanent fixture in Maiden’s side.

“By the time the season starts we’ll have had three trial matches and we are expecting them to all be tough games,” Anderson said. “This one will be no different. I expect them to be pretty good. I’ve seen some of the players playing in the CDRL and there’s plenty of talent there.”

Pride puts on free kids’ day for All Star clash

By Northern Pride | Published: 14/02/2012

Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club has invited local youngsters to take part in an exciting array of free children’s activities before the club’s mouth-watering clash against the FNQ Indigenous All Stars in Cairns this Saturday (18 February).

The Pride’s official season launch will take place before the Barlow Park clash, which kicks off at 7pm. And as part of the celebrations, there will be fun events taking place for the club’s youngest fans from 3pm, including

  • A jumping castle
  • prize giveaways, and
  • meet the player

Entry will be free for children and just $5 for adults.

Northern Pride Chief Executive Officer Chris Sheppard encouraged local children to attend the season launch, which is in partnership with Edmonton Storm RLFC.

“It will be a fantastic occasion and the kids will love what we have on offer,” said Sheppard.“There will be loads of kids’ activities, and a real thrill will be special activities undertaken by Pride first-team players, including a signing session.”

“This pre-game event follows our School Blitz program, which is currently seeing Pride players visit more than 120 schools and 40,000 students across Far North Queensland. “We have a passion for developing junior rugby league in this part of the world, and this is another way for kids to get involved.”

The children’s activities begin at 3pm, with an U18s match and an A Grade fixture between Edmonton and Ivanhoes to follow before the big game at 7pm between the Pride and the All Stars.

Northern Pride 2012 Season membership packages are now available with options available for every football supporter, including junior membership packages such as Pride Cubs and Pride Princess.

Membership information will be available at Barlow Park on Saturday or visit www.northernpride.com.au for more details.

 

Anderson to lead the Pride on Saturday

By Andrew Piva @ The Cairns Post | Published: 14/02/2012

CENTRE Brett Anderson has been handed the captaincy duties for the Northern Pride’s trial against the FNQ Indigenous All Stars at Barlow Park on Saturday night. 

Anderson missed two months of preseason training after work commitments took him to Darwin and wasn’t part of the line-up that beat the North Queensland Cowboys under-20s 30-22 last Saturday. But Pride coach David Maiden said the former Melbourne Storm player was ready for a hit-out.

“He missed those couple of months because of work, but his first session back, it was like he had never been away at all,” Maiden said. “It shows what a professional he is and why he’s part of our leadership group.”

Anderson joins forwards Mark Dalle Cort and Alex Starmer as the only Pride regulars in the side, with fringe players filling the other positions. Five-eighth Troyson Bassini will partner Tully’s Shaun Nona in the halves, while Maddie Oosen will start at hooker after being used as a substitute against the Cowboys under-20s.

Saturday’s game will be the best chance for many players to impress Maiden and prove they are worthy of a permanent spot on the Pride roster. “They’ve been training hard since November to get this opportunity. I expect everybody to do their jobs – nothing more, nothing less,” Maiden said. Also included in the line-up is former NRL winger Brenton Bowen, who has been named on a six-man bench.

Pride squad: 1 Ben Fitzpatrick, 2 Francis Mosby, 3 Brett Anderson (c), 4 Rickki Sutherland, 5 Justin Castellaro, 6 Troyson Bassani, 7 Shaun Nona, 8 Mark Dalle Cort, 9 Maddie Oosen, 10, Alex Starmer, 11 Justin Dolan, 12 Joel Marama, 13 Brent Oosen. Interchange: 14 Jamie Kerwick, 15 Brenton Bowen, 16 Wees Nawia, 17 Billy McConachie, 18 Rohan Schultz, 19 Aaron Binawel.

FNQ Indigenous All Stars: Karl Adams, Hayden Brown, Maurice Burke, Shemiah Chinfat, Darren Cobb, Stanley Dai, Peter English, Denley Foster, Dane Furphy, Jovan Gibson, David Grainer, Miles Kerindun, Elron Lawrence, Fitzroy Lawrence, Daryl Lightning, Josh Mene, Densen Misi, Milton Mossman, Charles Murgha, Tim Oberleuter, Clargie Saltmere, Steve Singleton, Santoi Thaiday, Peter Tuccandidgee

Joel catches up with his junior club

By Northern Pride | Published: 12/02/2012

Northern Pride player Joel Marama dropped by his junior club Kangaroos on Saturday to catch up with old friends and to meet the newest Rugby League players at the club’s junior sign on day.

Joel started his Rugby League career at Kangaroos  as a 7 year old culminating in his being signed with the Northern Pride for the 2012 season.

Kangaroos Coaching Director, Tom Tassell, said the club was proud of Joel’s progression to state league level and Kangaroos development of players.

 ”It is rewarding to see junior players progress to a higher level, and having the pathways for players to be able to compete at this level and stay in their local area with support of family and friends is a massive step forward”  he said.

Players 6 – 16 years are now being signed with junior clubs throughout the Far North for the 2012 season.

Positive signs in Pride’s first trial games

By Northern Pride | Published: 11/02/2012

The Northern Pride’s 2012 campaign started on a positive note today with the Intrust Super Cup team taking the points in the trial game in Townsville against the Cowboys U20′s.

The game was held in sultry conditions with the Pride stamping their mark on the  game, at one point leading 30-6. Try scorers were Saia Makisi, Ryan Ghietti, Scott Gibson (2), Jamie Frizzo, Chey Bird. Conversions Mitchell Seri, Ty Williams, Chey Bird. Full time score 30 – 22.

The Academy teams also travelled to Townsville for trial games against the Townsville Stingers. The Under 16′s played in oppressive  conditions eventually going down 26 – 10 to the home team, with the Under 18′s coming out ahead in their trial game 22 – 20.

The Pride teams  play their next trial at Barlow Park next Saturday 18th February, with the Intrust Super Cup team taking on the FNQ Indigenous All Stars and the Academy teams playing in-house trials. Tickets available at the gate, Adults $5, Children free.

How a beer turned into a ‘flogging’ …and lovin’ it

By Andrew Piva @ The Cairns Post | Published: 11/02/2012

Frizzo back training with his mates

Jamie Frizzo will make his first appearance for the Pride in tonight’s trial against the North Queensland Cowboys under-20s in Townsville since retiring at the end of 2010 after suffering two broken arms in one season.

Frizzo took on a senior coaching role with Cairns District Rugby League club Ivanhoes last year, but the desire to play footy couldn’t be appeased with a seat on the sideline. It gnawed away at Frizzo.

A few CDRL cameos had him contemplating a comeback before floating the idea of a return after watching his former teammates beat Ipswich in their Queensland Cup semi-final.

“I was having a few beers with the boys after the game and having a chat to Maido (Pride coach David Maiden),” Frizzo said. “He asked me what I was doing next year and I told him I was actually thinking about coming back. He liked the idea. I went home and talked to my missus about it and it’s gone on from there.”

Frizzo has been named in the second-row for tonight’s first of three Pride preseason trials.

Despite “getting flogged” at training the past few months, Frizzo expects his lungs to be burning by halftime. “It’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “I think my fitness is probably (poor) at the moment to be honest. But I’m glad to be back. I missed being out there because they’re just a great bunch of blokes to be around and play with.”

  • Intrust Super Cup

    Next Round

    Round 1

    Northern Pride
    vs
    Ipswitch Jets

    V

    Sat, 10th, March, 5:30 pm

    Barlow Park