Passion before Pride for FNQ All Stars

”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.”