Page 80 - Tropic Magazine Issue 22

TROPIC • SPORT

Game changer

RUGBY LEAGUE
A new-look Northern Pride side
will take to the field in this year’s
Queensland Cup competition.
Words: Renee Cluff

The Northern Pride squad has
welcomed no less than ten new faces in
2020, including talent recruited from
the NRL. Coach Ty Williams told Tropic
there are be some familiar names in
the new line-up. “It’s a changing of the
guard for us, probably a generational
change as well, because we have a lot
younger guys coming through,” he 2020 home game draw
said. “The lads we’ve got back have been Lata Fakalelu & Nick Lui-Toso
Northern Pride juniors and they’ve Head to Barlow Park to support
gone away to an NRL system and November, so I’m excited to see how the Pride this season
they’ve come back to us now.” he goes.”
The returning players include Bernard The squad had just a short break over March 28 Tigers
Lewis, who played for the Sydney Christmas, returning to training
Roosters, while Gideon Gela-Mosby in mid-January, which included an April 4 Capras
and Javid Bowen are back from intensive camp on the Cassowary
Cowboys duties. Mr Williams Coast. Mr Williams said they’re already April 18 Cutters
said they’ll bring an extra level of clicking as a group. “It’s important
professionalism to the squad. “When firstly before we even sign the guys, May 9 Dolphins
you’ve been at that high level, a we do a background check on them May 24 Jets
full-time system, you sort of know and the way they hold themselves,” he
what you’ve got to be doing at every said. “They’re adjusting really well.” June 13 Hunters
session day in, day out, whether it be The playing action kicks off in February
on the field or managing nutrition with trial games including a curtain July 4 TH Seagulls
and sleep,” he said. “They bring a raiser to the Broncos versus Cowboys
wealth of experience.”He’s particularly trial in Cairns. “It should be a full house July 11 Blackhawks
excited to be coaching Nick Lui-Toso, here, so we’re excited,” Mr Williams
who was recently released from the said. “The guys know it’s just around the August 1 Falcons
Penrith Panthers. “He’s come up here corner now so you can see the intensity
for an opportunity to hopefully ignite levels lifting up.” The Queensland Cup August 22 WM Seagulls
something with the Cowboys in due competition begins in March.
course,” Mr Williams said. “He went August 29 Devils
and did the pre-season with them in MORE: northernpride.com.au
NEW NAMES

Bernard Lewis Chris Ostwald Gideon Gela-Mosby Javid Bowen Josh Stuckey

Lata Fakalelu Matthew Egan Nick Lui-Toso Pio Seci Rod Griffin

80 • Tropic • Issue 22