2008 Northern Pride RLFC season

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Coordinates: 16°55′49″S 145°46′2″E / 16.93028°S 145.76722°E / -16.93028; 145.76722 (Barlow Park)
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Northern Pride
Club information
Full nameNorthern Pride Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)The Pride
Colours Teal, Gold
Founded2007
Websitenorthernpride.com.au
Current details
Ground(s)
CEODenis Keeffe (2007-2009)
CoachAndrew Dunemann (2008-2009)
CaptainChris Sheppard (2008-2010)
CompetitionWizard Queensland Cup
20083rd
Home jersey
Home colours
 Away jersey
Away colours
Records
Premierships2 (2010/2014)
Runners-up1 (2009)
Minor premierships2 (2013/2014)
Main article: Northern Pride RLFC

2008 was the first competitive season for the Cairns based CRGT Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club. They were one of 11 clubs that played in the thirteenth season of Queensland's top rugby league competition, QRL's Wizard Queensland Cup.

The Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters were two new teams that entered the competition in 2008.[1] Mackay hadn't hosted a team since the Mackay Sea Eagles played the 1996 season, while Cairns was represented by the Cairns Cyclones from 1996 to 2000. The two new clubs replaced the Aspley Broncos and North Queensland Young Guns, who withdrew from the competition.[2] With the loss of the Young Guns, the North Queensland Cowboys formed new feeder club partnerships with the Cutters and Pride.[3]

The original coach was Adrian Lam, who had been captain of the PNG Kumuls, had represented Queensland at State of Origin, and played halfback for the Sydney Roosters and Wigan Warriors. Lam arrived in Cairns in August 2007 while the Pride's bid to enter the QCup competition was being prepared, but was released a month later to take up a coaching position at the Sydney Roosters.[4] He was replaced by Northern Pride's foundation coach, Andrew Dunemann, who had played five-eighth and hooker for the Gold Coast Seagulls, North Queensland Cowboys, South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders in the NRL, and the Halifax Blue Sox, Leeds Rhinos and Salford City Reds in the English Super League. He had also coached the Canberra Raiders Under-20s team, and turned down an assistant coaching position at Halifax RLFC to coach in Cairns.[5]

The two assistant coaches were David Maiden and Troy Cummings. Maiden was a rugby league international who represented Scotland in the 2000 World Cup, was a foundation player for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL, and played lock and centre for Gateshead Thunder and Hull F.C. in the English Super League, and the Cairns Cyclones in the Queensland Cup, and was currently the Junior Development Officer for the North Queensland Cowboys and General Manager of the CDRL. Cummings played lock for CDRL Mareeba Gladiators, and played for and coached the Cairns Marlins in the Foley Shield.[6][7]

Foundation captain was Chris Sheppard, who had played halfback for the North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons.[8] Fullback Chey Bird was appointed captain in Rounds 13 and 14, and in the finals series when 'Shep' was injured or unavailable, and prop Ben Laity was captain for Round 15. Lock Warren Jensen was captain for the first pre-season trial at Yarrabah.

'Shep' was the first player signed to the Pride, followed by local players Hezron Murgha and Noel Underwood from CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks, Kahu Wehi and Ritchie Marsters from Tully Tigers, Alex Starmer from Ivanhoes Knights, and Jason Roos from Mareeba Gladiators. The Chief Executive Officer and Commercial Manager visited Port Moresby to sign PNG players, but the Pride were unable to get work visas for the pair to enter Australia.

The Northern Pride played ten home games and ten away games over 22 rounds between March and August, and three games in the finals series. Their inaugural match was a home game, played at Barlow Park, Cairns, when the Pride scored eight tries, beating newcomers Mackay Cutters 44-16.[9] Eleven North Queensland Cowboys played this match (three for the Pride and eight for the Cutters). The match itself was something of a debacle, as the pitch was a rain-drenched mud-pit and coach Dunemann wanted the game called off. Pride officials turned spectators, match officials, caterers and security officers away, claiming the match was cancelled, but QRL insisted the game proceed.[10]

The Pride won their first seven games, before their first defeat in Round 8, when they lost 34-4 to Tweed Heads Seagulls.[11] Injuries dogged the team in the middle of the season, and Rugby League Week magazine predicted the newcomers would finish towards the bottom of the table. The Pride lost the last three matches of the regular season, but still finished in third place, having won 13 of their 20 games.[12] They reached the Preliminary Final, but lost in golden point extra-time to the Souths Logan Magpies, who went on to win the Grand Final.[13]

Six of the Pride's away games were televised on ABC 1. There were calls for the ABC to expand their outside broadcasting abilities and televise a Pride home game next season.

The Pride's office was at Mann Street in Westcourt and the team trained at Jones Park. In June 2008 the Pride purchased CDRL Kangaroos Leagues Club and Vico Oval, Irene Street, Mooroobool from the Redcliffe Dolphins in June 2008 for $1.85m (the Dolphins having purchased the Oval and Leagues Club from the Kangaroos in 2005 when Kangaroos were in financial difficulty). The playing field was renamed as Pride Oval, and the end of season Player Awards ceremony was held at the rebranded Pride Leagues Club.[14] The facility was to be used as an administration and training base, there were plans for a multi-million dollar development and for the Pride junior teams to play there. Six weeks later, however, the project was put on hold as the Pride faced financial uncertainty after chairman O'Brien's Pacific Toyota dealership went into receivership with debts around $25 million. O'Brien was a majority owner of the NBL Cairns Taipans, and had withdrawn financial support from the basketball team, placing them into voluntary administration. The QRL delayed the release of next seasons draw pending a review of the Pride's financial situation. O'Brien stood aside as the Northern Pride's chairman, and was replaced by Bob Fowler, former chairman of the Queensland Cup side the Cairns Cyclones.[15]

2008 Season – CRGT Northern Pride[edit]

Main article: 2008 Queensland Cup

Staff[edit]

Coaches/Trainers[edit]

Captain[edit]

Managers[edit]

  • Operations manager: Chris Sheppard
  • Commercial manager: Brad Tassell
  • Team manager: Rob White
  • Office Manager: Sheron McDougall
  • Chief executive: Denis Keeffe
  • Chairman: John O'Brien
  • Board of Directors: Greg Dowling, Nigel Tillett, Craig Meiklejohn, Bob Fowler, John O'Brien.

2008 squad[edit]

Player gains[edit]

This was the first season for the Pride, so all players were new signings.

Player From League From Club Notes
Ryan Bartlett Wizard Queensland Cup North Queensland Young Guns
Greg Byrnes Wizard Queensland Cup North Queensland Young Guns
Brett Anderson Wizard Queensland Cup North Queensland Young Guns
Warren Jensen Wizard Queensland Cup Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Josh Vaughan Wizard Queensland Cup Tweed Heads Seagulls
Joel Riethmuller Wizard Queensland Cup Ipswich Jets
Gordon Rattler Wizard Queensland Cup Ipswich Jets
Mark Cantoni Wizard Queensland Cup Eastern Suburbs Tigers
Ben Laity Wizard Queensland Cup Eastern Suburbs Tigers
Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia NRL Telstra Premiership Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg
Hezron Murgha CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks
Noel Underwood CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks
Farran Willett CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks
Kahu Wehi CDRL Tully Tigers
Ritchie Marsters CDRL Tully Tigers
Joshua Wehi CDRL Tully Tigers
Alex Starmer CDRL Ivanhoes Knights
Drew Campbell CDRL Ivanhoes Knights
Jason Roos CDRL Mareeba Gladiators
Chris Sheppard CDRL Mareeba Gladiators
Stephen Sheppard CDRL Mareeba Gladiators
Adam Mills CDRL Atherton Roosters
Chey Bird TDRL Brothers Townsville
Ben Kerr CDRL Innisfail Leprechauns
Steve McLean Junior Canberra Raiders juniors
Eric Warria Junior Northern Territory team Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League
Chris Afamasaga NRL Telstra Premiership Gold Coast Titans Signed in Round 10.
Afamasaga walked out of the club after Round 18.
Jamie Frizzo NRL Telstra Premiership North Queensland Cowboys Signed in Round 10
Rod Griffin NRL Telstra Premiership Wests Tigers Signed in Round 12
Luke Harlen NRL Telstra Premiership Wests Tigers Signed in Round 16

PNG signings[edit]

At the start of the season attempts were made to sign players from the PNG rugby league, but problems with visas prevented them coming to Australia.[17]

Player From League From Club
Papua New Guinea Michael Mark, (wing) SP Inter-City Cup Mendi Muruks
Papua New GuineaJesse Joe Parker Nandye, (five-eighth) SP Inter-City Cup Pagini Simbu Warriors

2008 season launch[edit]

  • Pre-Season Training: 5 November 2007.[18]
  • Team Launch: 14 December 2007.[19]
  • Pre-season boot camp: Croco Dylus Village Camp, Daintree River, 19–20 January 2008.[20]
  • Season Launch: 7 March 2008 at 11.00am, Stockland Cairns shopping centre, Earlville. (Originally scheduled as part of the Esplanade Lagoon's fifth-year celebrations but moved to Stockland Cairns due to Wet season flooding in Cairns).[21]

2008 jerseys[edit]

  • 2008 home
    2008 home
  • 2008 away
    2008 away

2008 player awards[edit]

26 September 2008, Pride Leagues Club, Irene Street, Mooroobool.[22]

  • Yalumba Wines Most Improved Player: Hezron Murgha
  • EK Kitchens Best Back: Chey Bird
  • Skytrans Airlines Best Forward: Mark Cantoni
  • CRGT Player of the Year: Chris Sheppard
  • John O'Brien Perpetual Club Person of the Year: Rob White (Pride Manager)

Players selected to represent their country in 2008[edit]

Papua New Guinea Rod Griffin 3 appearances at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup against England, New Zealand and Australia.[23][24][25]

Players selected for the 2008 Queensland Residents team[edit]

Scott Bolton

Players signed to first-tier teams[edit]

Brett Anderson signed to the NRL Telstra Premiership's Melbourne Storm
Jackson Nicolau signed to the NRL Telstra Premiership's Gold Coast Titans

Trial matches[edit]

Pre-season Trial 1
Saturday
2 February 2008.
17:10 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 50 – 22 Cairns Select Squad
Tries:
Drew Campbell 2
Chey Bird 2
Jason Roos 1
Noel Underwood 1
Adam Mills 1
Richie Marsters 1
Gordon Rattler 1
Goals:
Steve Shepard 5
Chey Bird 2 		Half-time:
26 – 4
 Tries:
1 David Sands
1 Clifton Tildora
1 Fenton Murgha
1 Tyson Brooks



Goals:
3 Adam Kelly
Jilara Oval
(Yarrabah, QLD)
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird, 2. Drew Campbell, 3. Hezron Murgha, 4. Noel Underwood, 5. Gordon Rattler, 6. Farren Wilett, 7. Steve Sheppard, 8. Greg Byrnes, 9. Jason Roos, 10. Kahu Wehi, 11. Adam Mills, 12. Alex Starmer, 13. Warren Jensen (c).
Interchange: 14. Richie Marsters, 15. Ben Kerr, 16. Eric Warria, 17. Jordan Kane, 18. Ryan Ghetti.
* = Cowboys allocation.
  • Note: originally scheduled to be played at Innisfail, but changed to the CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks ground.
Pre-season Trial 2
Saturday
16 February 2008
16:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Mackay Cutters CANCELLED Northern Pride
Darryl Bourke Oval
(Moranbah, QLD)
CRGT Northern Pride: Coach Andrew Dunemann selected four separate teams to play this match, with each team to play one quarter.
Unavailable: Josh Vaughan (called up to play for the Cowboys in their trial against the Broncos
  • Note: This match was cancelled due to wet conditions.
Pre-season Trial 2b
Saturday
16 February 2008
16:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 26 – 20 NYC NQ Cowboys U-20s
Tries:
Hezron Murgha 2
Chey Bird 1
Ben Laity 1
Eric Warria 1
Drew Campbell 1
Goals:
Stephen Sheppard 1 		Tries:
1 Brady Payne
2Ricky Griffiths
1 Brandon Boor


Goals:
2 Chris Riesen
Mann Street Field
(Westcourt, Cairns, QLD)
CRGT Northern Pride: ?
Unavailable: Josh Vaughan (called up to play for the Cowboys in their trial against the Broncos
  • Note: When the original trial match against the Mackay Cutters at Darryl Bourke Oval, Moranbah was cancelled due to wet conditions, Pride coach Andrew Dunemann decided to play an intra-club trial match in Cairns instead. However Pride sponsor Skytrans offered to fly the NYC North Queensland Cowboys U-20s squad to Cairns.
    Entry to the game was $5.
    Noel Underwood was placed on report for a dangerous tackle.
    Ryan Bartlett ended his season with an ACL tear.
Pre-season Trial 3
Saturday
23 February 2008
17:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 22 – 16 NQ Cowboys Select Squad
Tries:
Greg Byrnes 1
Chey Bird 1
Mark Cantoni 1
Gordon Rattler 1
Goals:
Chey Bird 3 		Tries:
2 John Williams*
1 R Thompson


Goals:
2 John Williams* 2
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird, 2. Gordon Rattler, 3. Brett Anderson, 4. Josh Vaughan, 5. Hezron Murgha, 6. Stephen Sheppard, 7. Chris Sheppard (c), 8. Ben Laity, 9. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 10. Greg Byrnes, 11. Alex Starmer, 12. Joel Riethmuller, 13. Mark Cantoni
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Ritchie Marsters, 16. Jason Roos, 17. Noel Underwood, 18. Drew Campbell, 19. Adam Mills
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
Pre-season Trial 4
Saturday
1 March 2008
19:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 12 – 26 Ipswich Jets
Tries:
Mark Cantoni 2




Goals:
Chris Sheppard 1
To'oto'o-ulugia 1 		Half-time:
6 – 14
Sin bin:
Stephen Sheppard
 Tries:
1 Malone
1 Walker
1 Ryan
1 Gray
1 Afamasaka
Goals:
2 Ireland
1 Malone
Mossman Showgrounds
(Mossman, QLD)
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Josh Vaughan, 2. Drew Campbell, 3. Brett Anderson, 4. Hezron Murgha, 5. Noel Underwood, 6. Steve Sheppard, 7. Chris Sheppard (c), 8. Ben Laity, 9. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 10. Alex Starmer, 11. Joel Riethmuller, 12. Warren Jensen, 13. Mark Cantoni
Interchange: 14. Ritchie Marsters, 15. Gordon Rattler, 16. Ben Kerr, 17. Adam Mills, 18. Shaun Cribb
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: CDRL Port Douglas/Mossman Sharks RLFC hosted the match. Admission was $6.

Wizard Queensland Cup matches[edit]

See also: 2008 Queensland Cup season results
ROUND 1: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
15 March 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 44 – 16 Mackay Cutters
Tries:
Brett Anderson 4
Chey Bird 1
Stephen Sheppard 1
Warren Jensen 1
Greg Byrnes 1
Goals:
Chey Bird 6 		On report:
Chris Sheppard
-----
Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Anthony Watts
Kerrod Toby
1 Sam Faust


Goals:
1 Chris Giumelli
1Daniel Abraham
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Justin Davis
Touch judges: Darryl Bell, Josh Kersevani
Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Brett Anderson (centre), 4. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 8. Ben Laity (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 10. Ben Vaeau* (prop), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Alex Starmer, 17. Greg Byrnes
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
Position Round 1 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 1 1 0 0 0 44 16 +28 2
ROUND 2: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Sunday
23 March 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Redcliffe Dolphins 18 – 32 Northern Pride
Tries:
Liam Georgetown 1
Mitchell Rivett 1
Craig Priestley 1
Ryan Cullen 1


Goals:
Liam Georgetown 1 		Half-time:
12 – 16
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Gordon Rattler
1 Mark Cantoni
1 Matthew Bartlett*
1 Warren Jensen
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Ty Williams*
Goals:
4 Chey Bird
Dolphin Oval
(Klingner Road, Redcliffe, QLD)
Referee: Robert Gallacher
Touch judges: Clayton Sharpe, Peter Jones
Interchange Official: Chris Butler
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Brett Anderson (centre), 4. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Steve Southern* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Vaeau* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Ben Laity, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Scott Bolton*, 18. Ty Williams*
* = Cowboys allocation (6 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
Position Round 2 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 2 2 0 0 0 76 34 +42 4
ROUND 3: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
29 March 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 46 – 12 Norths Devils
Tries:
Brett Anderson 1
Chris Sheppard (c) 1
Mark Cantoni 1
Joel Riethmuller 1
Matthew Bartlett* 1
Jason Roos 1
Ben Vaeau* 1
Ben Laity 1
Goals:
Chey Bird 7 (7 from 8) 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Luke Samoa







Goals:
1 Patrick Fray
1 Haisley Robson
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Justin Davis
Touch judges: Michael Inman, Darryl Bell
Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Brett Anderson (centre), 4. Josh Vaughan (centre), 5. John Williams* (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Steve Southern* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Vaeau* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Ben Laity, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Scott Bolton*
* = Cowboys allocation (6 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Steven Sheppard (sternum)
Position Round 3 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 3 3 0 0 0 122 46 +76 6
ROUND 4: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
5 April 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Burleigh Bears 8 – 18 Northern Pride
Tries:
Adam Fielder 2


Goals:
0 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Jackson Nicolau*
1 Ben Laity
1 David Faiumu
Goals:
3 Chey Bird
Pizzey Park
(Miami, Gold Coast, QLD)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Touch judges: Peter Anderson, Robert Grogan
Interchange Official: David Shaw
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Brett Anderson (centre), 4. Josh Vaughan (centre), 5. Drew Campbell (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Ben Laity (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Vaeau* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Scott Bolton*
* = Cowboys allocation (5 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: This was the Pride debut for Drew Campbell (Player 022).
Position Round 4 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 4 4 0 0 0 140 54 +86 8
ROUND 5: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
12 April 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Souths Logan Magpies 24 – 34 Northern Pride
Tries:
Quentin Laulu Togagae 3
Lewis Balcomb 1




Goals:
Michael Dobson 4 		Half-time:
6 – 24
 Tries:
1 Chey Bird
1 Brett Anderson
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Chris Sheppard
1 Joel Riethmuller
1 Greg Byrnes
Goals:
5 Chey Bird
Meakin Park
(Logan, QLD)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV
Referee: Michael Wise
Touch judges: Justin Davis, Chris Butler
Interchange Official: Robert Grogan
Video Referee: Tony Maksoud
Player of the Match: Greg Byrnes
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Brett Anderson (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 11. Warren Jensen (second row), 10. Ben Laity (prop), 9. David Faiumu (hooker), 8. Scott Bolton* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Jason Roos, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Noel Underwood
* = Cowboys allocation (2 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.
    This was Brett Anderson last game before leaving to play for Melbourne Storm. He returned to the Pride in 2010.
    The Pride were down by 18 points at half-time, but they scored 28 unanswered points in the second-half for a dramatic come-from-behind win.
    This was the Pride debut for Hezron Murgha and David Faiumu (Players 023 & 024).
Position Round 5 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 5 5 0 0 0 174 78 +96 10
ROUND 6: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
19 April 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 30 – 28 Easts Tigers
Tries:
Jason Roos 2
Gordon Rattler 1
Jackson Nicolau* 1
Josh Vaughan 1
Adam Mills 1
Goals:
Chey Bird 3 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Tangi Ropati
1 Kev Stephensen
1 Marcus Jensen
1 Trent Young

Goals:
3 Matt Lockyer
1 Isaac Kaufmann
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis
Touch judges: Darryl Bell, Greg Watt
Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Joel Riethmuller (second row), 11. Scott Bolton* (second row), 10. Ben Laity (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Vaeau* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Adam Mills, 15. Warren Jensen, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Alex Starmer
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).'
Unavailable: Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (ribs), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm), Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: Stephen Sheppard was sent from the field in the second half and Joel Riethmuller suffered a season ending knee injury.
    This was the Pride debut for Adam Mills (Player 025).
Position Round 6 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 6 6 0 0 0 204 106 +98 12
ROUND 7: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
26 April 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 40 – 10 Central Comets
Tries:
Drew Campbell 2
Greg Byrnes 2
Hezron Murgha 1
Josh Vaughan 1
Jackson Nicolau* 1
Goals:
Chey Bird 6 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Nat Bowman
1 Wayne Barnett



Goals:
1 Jimmy Radloff
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Gavin Morris
Touch judges: Darryl Bell, Daniel Caamano
Interchange Official: Mark Leigh
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Ty Williams* (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Warren Jensen (lock), 12. Mark Cantoni (second row), 11. Alex Starmer (second row), 10. Ben Vaeau* (prop), 9. David Faiumu (hooker), 8. Greg Byrnes (prop).
Interchange: 14. Jason Roos, 15. Adam Mills, 16. Noel Underwood, 17. Ben Laity
* = Cowboys allocation (4 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm), Stephen Sheppard (sternum), Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: This was the Pride's seventh game and their seventh win.
Position Round 7 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 7 7 0 0 0 244 116 +128 14
ROUND 8: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
3 May 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Tweed Heads Seagulls 34 – 4 Northern Pride
Tries:
Selasi Berdie 2
Dennis Gordon 1
Luke Dumas 1
Shane Joyce 1
Brad Davis 1
Goals:
Brad Davis 5 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Hezron Murgha




Goals:
0
Ned Byrne Oval, Cudgen Park<br .(Kingscliff. NSW)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Touch judges: Rod Spain, David Shaw
Interchange Official: Daniel Gigliotti
Video Referee: Rex Little
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. David Faiumu (second row), 11. Alex Starmer (second row), 10. Scott Bolton* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Greg Byrnes (prop).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Adam Mills, 16. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 17. Ben Laity
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm), Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.
    This was the Pride's first defeat after eight rounds of the competition.
    This was the Pride debut for Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (Player 026).
Position Round 8 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 8 7 0 1 0 248 150 +98 14
ROUND 9: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
10–11 May 2008
Northern Pride BYE
Position Round 9 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 8 7 0 1 1 248 150 +98 16
ROUND 10: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
17 May 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 16 – 26 Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Tries:
Drew Campbell 1
Hezron Murgha 1
Stephen Sheppard 1

Goals:
Chey Bird 2 		Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Jason Moon
1 Dallas McIlwain
1 Luke Dalziel Don
1 Chris Muckert
Goals:
5 Matt Seamark
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Michael Wise
Touch judges: Michael Inman, Greg Watt
Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Adam Mills (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Ben Kerr (lock), 12. Mark Cantoni (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Scott Bolton* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Richie Marsters, 15. Warren Jensen, 16. Noel Underwood, 17. Greg Byrnes
* = Cowboys allocation (2 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (knee), Alex Starmer (shoulder)
Chris Afamasaga from the Gold Coast Titans and Jamie Frizzo from the North Queensland Cowboys signed to the Pride this week.
This was the Pride debut for Ben Kerr and Richie Marsters (Players 027 & 028).
Position Round 10 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 9 7 0 2 1 264 176 +88 16
ROUND 11: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
24 May 2008
14:- AEST (UTC+10)
Ipswich Jets 16 – 30 Northern Pride
Tries:
Brendan Marshall 1
Ian Lacey 1
Aaron Sweeney 1

Goals:
Josh Lewis 2 		Half-time:
10 – 16
Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Chey Bird
1 Matthew Bartlett*
1 Scott Bolton*
1 Ben Vaeau*
Goals:
5 Chey Bird
Briggs Rd Sporting Complex
(Ipswich, QLD)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV
Referee: Gavin Morris
Touch judges: Rod Spain, Chris Butler
Interchange Official: Daniel Griffin
Video Referee: Tony Maksoud
Player of the Match: Chey Bird
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Adam Mills (second row), 11. Scott Bolton* (second row), 10. Ben Laity (prop), 9. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (hooker), 8. Ben Vaeau* (prop).
Interchange: 14. Stephen Sheppard, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Warren Jensen, 17. Greg Byrnes
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
Position Round 11 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 10 8 0 2 1 294 192 +102 18
ROUND 12: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
7 June 2008
19:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Mackay Cutters 12 – 18 Northern Pride
Tries:
Dean Tass 1
George Gatis 1
Goals:
Todd Seymour 2 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Jackson Nicolau*
1 Greg Byrnes
Goals:
3 Chey Bird
Mackay Junior Fields
(Bridge Road, South Mackay, QLD)
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis
Touch judges: Clinton Begg, Chris Anderson
Interchange Official: Zane Wright
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock), 12. Greg Byrnes (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Ben Vaeau* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: Ty Williams*, Ben Vaeau*, 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Ben Kerr, 17. Chris Afamasaga.
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL)
  • Note: Rod Griffin signed with the Pride this week.
    This was the Pride debut for Chris Afamasaga (Player 030).
Position Round 12 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 11 9 0 2 1 312 204 +108 20
ROUND 13: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
14 June 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 0 – 26 Redcliffe Dolphins
Tries:




Goals: 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Nick Emett
1 Ryan Cullen
1 Liam Georgetown
1 Chris Fox
Goals:
3 Marty Turner
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Justin Davis
Touch judges: Greg Watt, Daniel Caamano
Interchange Official: Michael Inman
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (c) (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Ty Williams* (centre), 4. Hezron Murgha (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Stephen Sheppard (halfback), 8. Ben Laity (prop), 9. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (hooker), 10. Ben Vaeau* (prop), 11. Adam Mills (second row), 12. Greg Byrnes (second row), 13. Mark Cantoni (lock).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Scott Bolton*, 17. Chris Afamasaga
* = Cowboys allocation (5 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Chris Sheppard (representative duties)
  • Note: In the second half Mark Cantoni was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
Position Round 13 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 12 9 0 3 1 312 230 +82 20
ROUND 14: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Sunday
22 June 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Norths Devils 24 – 40 Northern Pride
Tries:
Rodney Davies 2
George Kepa 2
Reece Robinson 1


Goals:
Luke Samoa 2 		Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Drew Campbell
2 Josh Vaughan
1 Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia
1 Ben Vaeau*
1 Jason Roos
Goals:
5 Chey Bird
1Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia
Albert Bishop Park
(Hedley Avenue, Nundah QLD)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Touch judges: Nick Kalpakidis, David Shaw
Interchange Official: Nick Morel
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (c) (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Ty Williams* (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Greg Byrnes (second row), 11. Alex Starmer (second row), 10. Ben Vaeau* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Hezron Murgha, 15. Rod Griffin, 16. Warren Jensen, 17. Chris Afamasaga
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Chris Sheppard (representative duties), Greg Byrnes (representative duties), Mark Cantoni (broken arm)
  • Note: This was the Pride's debut for Rod Griffin (Player 031).
Position Round 14 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 13 10 0 3 1 352 254 +98 22
ROUND 15: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
28 June 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 28 – 12 Burleigh Bears
Tries:
Drew Campbell 1
Jamie Frizzo 1
Rod Griffin 1
Jason Roos 1
Chris Afamasaga 1
Goals:
Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia 4 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Adam Hutchison
1 Martin Griese



Goals:
2 Nick Parfitt
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Gavin Morris
Touch judges: Greg Watt, Daniel Caamano
Interchange Official: Darryl Bell
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Ty Williams* (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Rod Griffin (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Alex Starmer (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (c) (prop).
Interchange: 14. Gordon Rattler, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Ben Kerr, 17. Chris Afamasaga
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Chey Bird (sternum)
Position Round 15 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 14 11 0 4 1 380 266 +114 22
ROUND 16: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
5 July 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 16 – 12 Souths Logan Magpies
Tries:
Ty Williams* 1
Drew Campbell 1
Rod Griffin 1
Goals:
Chris Sheppard 2 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Brad Cross
1 Tom Learoyd Lahrs

Goals:
2 Marc Herbert
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Justin Eastwood
Touch judges: Michael Inman, Greg Watt
Interchange Official: Darryl Bell
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Ty Williams* (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Rod Griffin (second row), 11. Luke Harlen (second row), 10. Greg Byrnes (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Alex Starmer, 17. Chris Afamasaga
* = Cowboys allocation (2 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Chey Bird (sternum)
  • Note: This was the Pride debut for Luke Harlen (Player 032) who signed with the Pride this week after being released from Wests Tigers.
    The Dawsons Engineering FNQ Cyclones side played the opening game as part of the ARL Masters National Carnival.
Position Round 16 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 15 2 0 3 1 396 278 +118 26
ROUND 17: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
12 July 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Easts Tigers 10 – 26 Northern Pride
Tries:
Liam Campbell 1
Marcus Jensen 1


Goals:
Matt Lockyer 1 		Tries:
2 Jamie Frizzo
1 Drew Campbell
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Matthew Bartlett*
Goals:
3 Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia
Langlands Park
(Stones Corner, Brisbane, QLD)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV
Referee: Gavin Morris
Touch judges: Justin Davis, Michael Inman
Interchange Official: Jon Kennedy
Video Referee: Tony Maksoud
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Ty Williams* (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Rod Griffin (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Luke Harlen (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Alex Starmer, 17. Chris Afamasaga
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Chey Bird (sternum)
Position Round 17 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
1 Northern Pride 16 13 0 3 1 422 288 +134 28
ROUND 18: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
19 July 2008
19:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Central Comets 28 – 16 Northern Pride
Tries:
Marty Hatfield 2
Guy Williams 1
Nat Bowman 1
Andrew Dale 1
Goals:
Nat Bowman 4 		Cairns Post Report
Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Hezron Murgha
1 Gordon Rattler
1 Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia

Goals:
2 Chris Sheppard
Browne Park
(Wandal, Rockhampton, QLD)
Referee: Justin Eastwood
Touch judges: Steve Kanowski, Jason McManus
Interchange Official: Aaron Geddes
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Josh Vaughan (fullback), 2. Drew Campbell (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Gordon Rattler (wing), 6. Jackson Nicolau* (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Rod Griffin (second row), 11. Noel Underwood (second row), 10. Greg Byrnes (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 15. Ben Kerr, 16. Alex Starmer, 17. Chris Afamasaga.
* = Cowboys allocation (1 player allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Chey Bird (sternum)
Position Round 18 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 17 13 0 4 1 438 316 +122 28
ROUND 19: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
26 July 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 20 – 34 Tweed Heads Seagulls
Tries:
Josh Vaughan 2
Luke Millwood 1
Warren Jensen 1


Goals:
Chey Bird 2 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Ben Jeffery
1 Shayne Joyce
1 James Wood
1 Matthew Pow
1 Matt King
Goals:
4 Ben Jeffery
1 Daniel Evans
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Touch judges: Michael Inman, Daniel Caamano
Interchange Official: Darryl Bell
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Gordon Rattler (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Chris Sheppard (c) (five-eighth), 7. Luke Millwood (halfback), 13. Adam Mills (lock), 12. Rod Griffin (second row), 11. Greg Byrnes (second row), 10. Alex Starmer (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Warren Jensen, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Scott Bolton*, 17. Eric Warria.
* = Cowboys allocation (1 player allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (knee), Drew Campbell (knee), Chris Afamasaga (sternum)
  • Note: This was the Pride debut for halfback Luke Millwood and outside back Eric Warria (Players 033 & 034).
    Pride players wore yellow armbands as part of the Cancer Council's National "Call To Arms" campaign. The Pride also contribute $1 from every ticket sold and game day sponsor Skytrans gave a bonus of $100 for every try scored and $50 for every goal converted.
Position Round 19 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 18 13 0 5 1 458 350 +108 28
ROUND 20: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
2–3 August 2008
Northern Pride BYE
Position Round 20 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
2 Northern Pride 18 13 0 5 2 458 350 +108 30
ROUND 21: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Sunday
10 August 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 36 – 16 Northern Pride
Tries:
Jason Moon 1
Chris McQueen 1
Chris Currie 1
Simon Phillips 1
Adam Brideson 1
Darren Bain 1
Aoterangi Herangi 1
Goals:
Chris Birch 3
Matt Seamark 1 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
1 Jackson Nicolau*
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Mark Cantoni




Goals:
2 Chey Bird
BMD Kougari Oval
(Manly West, Brisbane, QLD)
Referee: Justin Davis
Touch judges: Michael Wise, Andrew Wareham
Interchange Official: Jon Kennedy
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. 2. Adam Mills (wing), 3. Hezron Murgha (centre), 4. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Chris Sheppard (c) (five-eighth), 7. Luke Millwood (halfback), 13. Jamie Frizzo (lock), 12. Mark Cantoni (second row), 11. Matthew Bartlett* (second row), 10. Greg Byrnes (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Rod Griffin, 15. Noel Underwood, 16. Scott Bolton*, 17. Alex Starmer
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Chris Afamasaga (resigned)
Position Round 21 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 19 13 0 6 2 474 386 +88 30
ROUND 22: Wizard Queensland Cup 2008
Saturday
16 August 2008
18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 20 – 30 Ipswich Jets
Tries:
Josh Vaughan 1
Stephen Sheppard 1
Luke Millwood 1
Greg Byrnes 1

Goals:
Chey Bird 2 		Cairns Post Report
 Tries:
2 Smith Samau
1Donald Malone
1 Isaak Ah Mau
1 Aaron Sweeney
1 Adam Boettcher
Goals:
3 Donald Malone
Barlow Park
(Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Touch judges: Michael Inman, Darryl Bell
Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (fullback), 2. Hezron Murgha (wing), 3. Jackson Nicolau* (centre), 4. Jamie Frizzo (centre), 5. Josh Vaughan (wing), 6. Stephen Sheppard (five-eighth), 7. Chris Sheppard (c) (halfback), 13. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (lock), 12. Mark Cantoni (second row), 11. Rod Griffin (second row), 10. Scott Bolton* (prop), 9. Jason Roos (hooker), 8. Ben Laity (prop).
Interchange: 14. Luke Millwood, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Noel Underwood.
* = Cowboys allocation (2 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Joel Riethmuller (knee), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm, Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Mark Cantoni (broken arm), Chris Afamasaga (resigned), Adam Mills (ankle)
Position Round 22 - 2008 P W D L B For Against Diff Pts
3 Northern Pride 20 13 0 7 2 494 416 +78 30

2008 ladder[edit]

2008 Queensland Cup
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Ipswich Jets 20 16 0 4 2 656 329 +327 36
2 Souths Logan Magpies (P) 20 14 0 6 2 592 378 +214 32
3 Northern Pride 20 13 0 7 2 494 416 +78 30
4 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 20 11 2 7 2 526 514 +12 28
5 Redcliffe Dolphins 20 11 1 8 2 498 418 +80 27
6 Burleigh Bears 20 11 0 9 2 528 506 +22 26
7 Easts Tigers 20 8 1 11 2 454 462 -8 21
8 Tweed Heads Seagulls 20 7 1 12 2 507 535 -28 19
9 Mackay Cutters 20 7 1 12 2 416 488 -72 19
10 Central Comets 20 7 0 13 2 404 595 -191 18
11 Norths Devils 20 2 0 18 2 288 722 -434 8

Northern Pride (regular season 2008)[edit]

  • Win = 13 (6 of 10 home games, 7 of 11 away games)
  • Loss = 7 (3 of 10 home games, 4 of 11 away games)
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
ResultWWWWWWWLBLWWLWWWWLLBLL
GroundHAHAAHHABHAAHAHHAAHBAH
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20090914011534/http://www.qrl.com.au/queensland_cup/q_cup_results.php?round_number=24
A = Away; H = Home; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Finals Series[edit]

Qualifying / Elimination FinalsMajor / Minor Semi-finalsPreliminary FinalGrand Final
1 Ipswich34 Ipswich18
Northern Pride16 Souths Logan24
2 Souths Logan16 Northern Pride12
3 Northern Pride40 Souths Logan16
Souths Logan16
Redcliffe14
4 Wynnum Manly16
5 Redcliffe50


Finals Week 1 - Qualifying Semi-Final
Sunday
24 August 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Souths Logan Magpies 16 – 40 Northern Pride
Tries:
Nigel Plum 2
Quentin Laulu Togagae 1




Goals:
Tim Cannard 2 		Match Report
 Tries:
1 Chey Bird
1Hezron Murgha
1 Jamie Frizzo
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Mark Cantoni
1 Luke Harlen
Goals:
8 Chey Bird
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird, 2. Hezron Murgha, 3. Jackson Nicolau*, 4. Jamie Frizzo, 5. Josh Vaughan, 6. Stephen Sheppard, 7. Chris Sheppard (c), 13. Rod Griffin, 12. Mark Cantoni, 11. Luke Harlen, 10. Scott Bolton*, 9. Jason Roos, 8. Ben Laity
Interchange: 14. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 15. Warren Jensen, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Noel Underwood
* = Cowboys allocation.
Unavailable: Alex Starmer (knee)
Finals Week 2 - Qualifying Final
Saturday
30 August 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Ipswich Jets 34 – 16 Northern Pride
Tries:
Scott Ireland 2
Donald Malone 1
Josh Lewis 1
Kurtis Lingwoodock 1
Leigh Coghill 1
Goals:
Josh Lewis 5 		Match Report
 Tries:
1 Hezron Murgha
1 Josh Vaughan
1 Jamie Frizzo


Goals:
2 Chey Bird
Briggs Rd Sporting Complex
(Ipswich, QLD)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV
Referee: Justin Davis } touch = Clayton Sharpe, Rod Spain
Interchange Officials: Daniel Gicliotti
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (c), 2. Hezron Murgha, 3. Josh Vaughan, 4. Jamie Frizzo, 5. Adam Mills, 6. Jackson Nicolau*, 7. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 13. Rod Griffin, 12. Mark Cantoni, 11. Luke Harlen, 10. Scott Bolton*, 9. Jason Roos, 8. Ben Laity
Interchange: 14. Stephen Sheppard, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Noel Underwood
* = Cowboys allocation.
Unavailable: Chris Sheppard (foot)
Finals Week 3 - Preliminary Final
Saturday
6 September 2008
14:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Northern Pride 12 – 16 Souths Logan Magpies
Tries:
Hezron Murgha 1
Jackson Nicolau* 1
Luke Harlen 1
Goals:
0 		GOLDEN POINT GAME
Match Report
 Tries:
2 Kyle Lodge
1 Quentin Laulu Togagae

Goals:
1 Josh White
1 Tim Cannard
Langlands Park
(Stones Corner, Brisbane, QLD)
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV.
Referee: Gavin Morris }touch = David Shaw, Peter Jones
Interchange Officials: Peter Anderson
CRGT Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird (c), 2. Hezron Murgha, 3. Jackson Nicolau*, 4. Jamie Frizzo, 5. Josh Vaughan, 6. Stephen Sheppard, 7. Luke Millwood, 13. Mark Cantoni, 12. Noel Underwood, 11. Luke Harlen, 10. Greg Byrnes, 9. Jason Roos, 8. Ben Laity
Interchange: 14. Callan Myles, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Adam Mills, 17. Warren Jensen
* = Cowboys allocation.
Unavailable: Chris Sheppard (foot), Rod Griffin (concussion), Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia
  • Note:

It was 12 – 12 at full time, and Souths Logan Magpies scored after 8 minutes of extra time.
Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.
This was the Pride debut for Callan Myles (Player 035).
The Pride used 35 different players this season. Ben Laity and Josh Vaughan played all 23 games this season.

2008 Northern Pride players[edit]

Main page: Category:Northern Pride RLFC players
Pride player Appearances Tries Goals Field Goals Points scored
Adam Mills 15 1 0 0 4
Alex Starmer 19 0 0 0 0
Ben Kerr 4 0 0 0 0
Ben Laity 23 2 0 0 8
Brett Anderson 5 6 0 0 24
Callan Myles 1 0 0 0 0
Chey Bird 19 5 65 0 150
Chris Afamasaga 7 1 0 0 4
Chris Sheppard 18 2 4 0 16
Drew Campbell 12 8 0 0 32
Eric Warria 1 0 0 0 0
Gordon Rattler 9 3 0 0 12
Hezron Murgha 19 7 0 0 28
Jamie Frizzo 13 5 0 0 20
Jason Roos 21 5 0 0 20
Joel Riethmuller 6 2 0 0 8
Josh Vaughan 23 13 0 0 52
Luke Harlen 5 2 0 0 8
Luke Millwood 4 2 0 0 8
Mark Cantoni 17 4 0 0 16
Noel Underwood 14 0 0 0 0
Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia 12 2 8 0 24
Richie Marsters 1 0 0 0 0
Rod Griffin 10 2 0 0 8
Stephen Sheppard 11 3 0 0 12
Warren Jensen 16 3 0 0 12
Ryan Bartlett Trial Game 0 0 0 0
Shaun Cribb Trial Game 0 0 0 0

North Queensland Cowboys who played for the Pride in 2008[edit]

See also: List of North Queensland Cowboys players
Cowboys player Appearances Tries Goals Field Goals Points
Greg Byrnes 21 0 0 0 0
Jackson Nicolau 20 0 0 0 0
Scott Bolton 14 1 0 0 4
Ben Vaeau 10 0 0 0 0
Matthew Bartlett 9 4 0 0 16
Ty Williams 7 2 0 0 8
David Faiumu 3 1 0 0 4
Steve Southern 2 0 0 0 0
John Williams 1 0 0 0 0

2008 televised games[edit]

In 2008 games were televised by ABC TV and shown live across Queensland through the ABC1 channel at 2.00pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoons. The commentary team was Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Greenwood, Emma (30 June 2007). "Pride of the North ... and the winner is ... Northern Pride". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  2. ^ "Cairns and Mackay Granted Entry". www.qrl.com.au. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ Greenwood, Emma (12 September 2007). "Cowboys connection seals Pride coaching deal for journeyman". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  4. ^ "NRL swoops on Pride's top gun".[dead link]
  5. ^ "Dunemann takes reins at Cairns". Townsville Bulletin. Townsville. 7 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ^ Storey, Cameron (18 October 2007). "Far Northern talent takes Pride of place". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  8. ^ Petersen, Brad (26 July 2007). "Sheppard starts Pride flock Cairns Queensland Cup bid makes its first signing". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  9. ^ Greenwood, Emma (17 March 2008). "Pride win buoys coach". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  10. ^ Greenwood, Emma (17 March 2008). "Match planning debacle leaves Pride with little to be proud of". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  11. ^ "Seagulls finally show signs of pride". The Sunday Mail. Brisbane. 4 May 2008.
  12. ^ Greenwood, Emma (14 March 2008). "New team wants Pride of place in semi-finals". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  13. ^ Queensland Rugby League 2008 Draw Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 Dec 2007
  14. ^ Greenwood, Emma (30 October 2008). "Pride at stake in Roo deal". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  15. ^ "Pride in football club's wellbeing". Cairns Post. Cairns. 17 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Northern Pride kicks off with dough". Cairns Post. Cairns. 27 September 2007.
  17. ^ Omaro, Leslie (1 February 2008). "Kumul duo miss out". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. Port Moresby.
  18. ^ Greenwood, Emma (5 November 2007). "Pride berths up for grabs Classy backs bolster Queensland Cup club's stocks". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  19. ^ "Northern Pride shows off its true colours". Cairns Post. Cairns. 15 December 2007.
  20. ^ "Pride in Daintree". Port Douglas & Mossman Gazette. Port Douglas. 24 January 2008.
  21. ^ "Day of fun for lagoon birthday". Cairns Post. Cairns. 5 March 2008.
  22. ^ Greenwood, Emma (27 September 2008). "Top Pride honour to Sheppard". Cairns Post. Cairns.
  23. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  24. ^ "PNG name preliminary squad". RLWC.com. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  25. ^ "Wilshere handed Kumuls captaincy". BBC. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.

External links[edit]

16°55′49″S 145°46′2″E / 16.93028°S 145.76722°E / -16.93028; 145.76722 (Barlow Park)

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