2018 was the eleventh competitive season for the Cairns based Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club. They were one of 14 clubs that played in the twenty-second season of Queensland's top rugby league competition, QRL's Intrust Super Cup, with each team playing 12 home games and 11 away games over 24 weeks between March and August.

Channel 9 continued to be the television broadcast provider, but televised games moved from 2:00pm Sunday to 1:00pm on Saturday afternoon.

The Pride signed Dally M medal winner Todd Carney, a huge coup for the club. Carney hoped to join the Cowboys and play in the NRL again. After eight rounds, Carney resigned to move to Sydney to look after a family member, but promptly signed with Intrust Super Premiership side, North Sydney Bears. The Pride requested $15,000 in compensation to cover relocation costs they had paid, but Carney and the Bears refused. Carney then signed a short-term contract with Hull Kingston Rovers and returned to England to play Super League.

This was Ty Williams second season as coach. The Pride had a promising start, with three consecutive wins, but then had three straight losses, setting the tone for a turbulent season marked by inconsistent performances. The Pride won 13 games and finished fourth. They were knocked out of the finals series in the first week, with a resounding defeat to Easts Tigers 32-0. The Tigers were beaten in the Grand Final by minor-premiers Redcliffe Dolphins.

2018 Season - Northern Pride

Competition: Intrust Super Cup. Sponsor: The Pride started the season with no major sponsor, after Sea Swift's sponsorship ended. Part way through the season 'Mount Peter Estate' signed as the Pride's major sponsor.

Staff Coaches/Trainers Coach: Ty Williams Assistant coach: Ben Rauter Hastings Deering Colts U-20s coach: Dave Scott Mal Meninga Cup U-18s coach: Tye Ingebrigtsen Strength and conditioning coach: Scott Callaghan

Captain Ryan Ghietti

Managers Football Operations Manager: Chey Bird Administration Manager: Lauren Dowling Chief executive: Greg Dowling Chairman: Tony Williamson Board of Directors: Colin Moore (CDRL), Ian Lydiard (CDJRL), Peter Parr (Cowboys), Gail Andrejic (finance), Stephen Tillett, Stephen Devenish.

Squad The Pride used 32 players this season. Seventeen players from last year signed with the club again, three of the Cowboys allocation players from last year were assigned to the Pride again this year, and allocation player Ethan Lowe* returned to the Pride after last season's absence. Nine new players made their debut this season; four were new signings (Jack Murphy, James Clark, Jonico Hardwick and Todd Carney), and five were new Cowboys allocation players (Emry Pere*, Enari Tuala*, Jake Clifford*, Murray Taulagi* and Peter Hola**). Dave Murphy and Brett Anderson re-signed with the Pride.

Adrian Henley Ben Cocciolone Dale Ambrym Dan Moevao George House Isaac Pedersen Keelan White Lachlan Parmenter Lata Fakalelu Mat Laumea Milton Mossman Willem Foster

Allocated but did not play for the Pride in 2018:

Connor Luhan

Wiremu Greig

2018 player gains Player From League From ClubTodd Carney English RFL Super League Salford Red DevilsJack Murphy English RFL Championship Swinton LionsJamie Clark NRL Telstra Premiership Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsAdrian Henley Intrust Super Cup Easts TigersDavid Murphy Intrust Super Cup Easts TigersJonico Hardwick CDRL Brothers CairnsBrett Anderson CDRL Innisfail LeprechaunsJack Campagnolo CDRL Tully Tigers

Player losses after 2017 season Player To League To Club Jack Brock Intrust Super Cup Mackay Cutters Brad Lupi Intrust Super Cup Central Capras Luke George Intrust Super Cup Central Capras Khan Ahwang Intrust Super Cup Sunshine Coast Falcons Joel Riethmuller Retired Fred Koraba Released Ben Reuter Released Marvin Toko Released

Cowboys no longer allocated to the Pride Player To League To Club Ben Spina* TDRL Herbert River Crushers Marcus Jensen* Patrick Mago* NRL Telstra Premiership Brisbane Broncos

2018 season launch Pre-season training: 6 November 2017 Season launch: 3 March 2018, Cairns Colonial Club, 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

2018 QRL awards QRL Coach of the Year: Ty Williams QRL Pedro Gallagher Award for Rookie of the Year: Jake Clifford* (presented by the Carbine Club).

2018 player awards 26 August 2018, Brothers World of Entertainment, Manunda Northern Pride Player of the Year: Brett Anderson Most improved player: Jordan Biondi-Odo Best Back: Brett Anderson Best Forward: Darryn Schonig Rookie of the Year: Jack Campagnolo John O'Brien Perpetual Club Person of the Year: Murray Stalley and Max Conroy

2018 Player records Most Games: Ryan Ghietti (24), Brett Anderson (24), Graham Clark (24). Most Tries: Jake Clifford* (10), Gideon Gela-Mosby* (10). Most Points: Jake Clifford* (134 points). Clifford was the 4th highest point scorer in the QRL this season with 10 tries, 46 goals and 3 field-goals.

Sponsors Shirt sponsors: Rivers Insurance Brokers, Remax Real Estate, Brothers Leagues Club. Sleeve sponsores: EMU Sportswear, CSF Industries, Century Cranes. Shorts sponsors: The Pier Bar, North Queensland Cowboys, Intrust Super. Broadcast partner: Channel 7 Cairns

Jerseys

Trial matches

Round Opponent Score Date VenueTrial 1 Mackay Cutters2228Saturday, 10 February 2018 Townsville Sports Reserve, TownsvilleTrial 2 Cairns Connection4010Saturday, 17 February 2018Barlow Park, CairnsTrial 3 Townsville BlackhawksCANCELLEDSaturday 24 February 2018Jack Manski Oval, TownsvilleTrial 4 Northern PrideIn HouseTuesday 27 February 2018Barlow Park, Cairns

Northern Pride: Unlimited Interchange: Mackay Cutters: ?

Northern Pride: Unlimited Interchange: Unavailable: Todd Carney. Cairns Connection: 1. A. Jolley, 2. Peter Tuccandidgee, 3. B. Broski Emery-Hunia, 4. V. Law, 5. J. Hogan, 6. E. Morrison-Sailor, 7. A. Garrett, 8. D. Sagigi, 9. N. Blackman, 10. N. Serafino, 11. Fred Koraba (c), 12. A. Daniel, 13. S. Cliff. Interchange: 14. J. Willis, 15. C. Child, 16. M. Lee, 17. B. Power, 18. R. Pedersen, 19. T. Harrison, 20. D. Mata-Rakene. Coach: Leon Hallie. Note: This trail game was played as the curtain raiser to the NRL pre-season trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers. Kick-off for the NRL Trial was delayed by a widespread power outage.

Northern Pride: Interchange: Townsville and District Mendi Blackhawks: ? Note: This trail game was cancelled due to heavy rain and a flooded pitch.

Northern Pride: Full squad split into two teams. Unavailable: Ryan Ghietti (flu). Note: Because the trial game against the Blackhawks was cancelled last weekend, coach Ty Williams organised an in-house scratch match between the full squad. he game This was Todd Carney's first game, and it was played behind closed door, no spectators, no media allowed at the ground.

Intrust Super Cup matches

Mount Peter Estate Northern Pride: Interchange: * = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match). Unavailable: Wynnum-Manly Seagulls: 1. Pat Templeman, 2. Peter Gubb, 3. Jeriah Goodrich, 4. Delouise Hoeter, 5. Daniel Ogden, 6. Shaun Nona, 7. Michael Dobson, 8. Ngarima Pita, 14. Jayden Berrell, 10. Max Elliott, 11. Alex Barr, 12. Atelea Vea, 13. Mitchell Frei Interchange: 9. Mitchell Moore, 15. Patrick Carrigan, 16. Keenan Palasia, 17. Payne Haas. * = Brisbane Broncos allocation (? players allocated for this match). Coach: Adam Brideson. Note: Torrential Wet season rain flooded Barlow Park, and so on Friday morning the decision was made to play the game at Easts Tigers home ground in Brisbane. The Pride were expecting a crowd of around 4,000 people to see Todd Carney's return to rugby league in Australia.This was the Pride debut for Jack Murphy and Todd Carney (Pride Players 144 & 147) and North Queensland Cowboys allocation players Murray Taulagi*, Enari Tuala*, Jake Clifford* and Emry Pere* (Pride Players 145, 146, 148 & 149). PositionRound 1 – 2018PWDLBForAgainstDiffPts13 Northern Pride100101224-120

Mount Peter Estate Northern Pride: Interchange: * = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match). Pride Out: Justin Castellaro (wing), Todd Carney injured (five-eighth), David Murphy (bench), Colin Wilkie (bench). Pride In: Shawn Bowen (wing), Jordan Biondi-Odo (five-eighth), Connor Jones (bench), Aidan Day (bench). SP PNG Hunters: 1. Adex Wera, 2. Paul Wawa, 3. Nixon Putt, 4. Willie Minoga, 5. Butler Morris, 6. Ase Boas, 7. Watson Boas, 8. Moses Meninga, 9. Wartovo Puara, 10. Mckenzie Yei, 11. Rhadley Brawa, 12. John Andy, 13. Adam Korave. Interchange: 14. Charlie Simon, 15. Ila Alu, 17. Dilbert Issac, 18. Stargroth Amean. Coach: Stanley Tepend. Note: The Hunters were last year's premiers.Colin Wilkie retired after this round.This was the Pride debut for North Queensland Cowboys allocation player Peter Hola* (Pride Player 152). PositionRound 2 – 2018PWDLBForAgainstDiffPts7 Northern Pride21010383802

Mount Peter Estate Northern Pride: Interchange: * = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match). Pride Out: Jordan Biondi-Odo (five-eighth), Aidan Day (bench). Pride In: Todd Carney (five-eighth), David Murphy (bench). Townsville and District Mendi Blackhawks: 1. Carlin Anderson, 2. Jonathon Reuben, 3. Shaun Hudson, 4. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 5. Michael Carroll, 6. Jaelen Feeney, 7. Zach Dockar-Clay, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Krys Freeman, 10. Corey Jensen, 11. Jake Marketo, 12. Andrew Niemoeller (c), 13. Joe Boyce. Interchange: 14. Rod Griffin, 17. Temone Power, 19. Brent Woolf, 22. Sione Lousi. * = North Queensland Cowboys allocation (? players allocated for this match). Coach: Kristian Woolf. PositionRound 3 – 2018PWDLBForAgainstDiffPts3 Northern Pride320106444+204

Mount Peter Estate Northern Pride: Interchange: * = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match). Mackay Cutters: 1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Yamba Bowie, 3. Nathan Saumalu, 4. Blake Atherton, 5. Johnny Faletagoa'I, 6. Nicho Hynes, 7. Kyle Laybutt, 8. Samuel Hoare (c), 9. Josh Chudleigh, 10. Nick Brown, 11. Mitchell Dunn, 12. Tyson Martin, 13. Bennett Leslie. Interchange: 14. Jayden Hodges, 15. Kell Jenner, 16. Darcy Cox, 17. Jordan Grant. * = North Queensland Cowboys allocation (? players allocated for this match). Coach: Steve Sheppard. PositionRound 4 – 2018PWDLBForAgainstDiffPts2 Northern Pride430108660+266

Mount Peter Estate Northern Pride: Interchange: * = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match). Pride Out: Jack Murphy (fullback). Pride In: Jordan Biondi-Odo (fullback) Changes: Darryn Schonig (front row to bench), David Murphy (bench to front row) 'Ipswich Jets: 1. Michael Purcell, 14. Denzel Burns, 3. Pio Seci, 17. Rory Humphreys, 5. Wes Conlon, 6. Julian Christian, 7. Dane Phillips, 8. Tyson Lofipo, 21. Kierran Moseley, 10. Nathaniel Neale (c), 11. Ben White, 12. Sebastian Pandia, 13. Ben Shea Interchange: 4. Samuel Caslick, 9. Jayden Connors, 15. Fakahoko Teutau, 16. Rowan Winterfield * = Brisbane Broncos allocation (? players allocated for this match). Coach: Ben Walker & Shane Walker PositionRound 5 – 2018PWDLBForAgainstDiffPts5 Northern Pride530209876+226