A host of speedy outside backs, a budding superstar halfback and one of the brightest forward prospects of rugby league highlight the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys players allocated to feeder club the Northern Pride.
Star forwards Jordan McLean and Gavin Cooper are Cowboys ambassadors to the Pride, but Pride coach Ty Williams wouldn’t be expecting to have either of those names or Maroons second rower Coen Hess at his disposal in 2019.
Cairns products Nene Macdonald, Gideon Gela-Mosby and Enari Tuala, Tully boy Jake Clifford and Mareeba junior Ben Hampton highlight the local talent allocated to the Pride.
Gela-Mosby and Tuala along with Hope Vale’s Javid Bowen were outstanding for Williams’ side last season and the trio all shape as key pieces for the 2019 Pride outfit.
Clifford was nothing short of sensational during his 16 games for the Pride in 2018, claiming the Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for Player of the Year.
The 21-year-old is currently locked in a tight battle with Te Maire Martin for the No.6 jersey in Paul Green’s Round 1 side, but if he is overlooked it will be a massive coup for the Pride.
Boom middle-forward prospect Peter Hola will again play for the Pride in 2019.
Hola signed a four-year contract extension with the Cowboys earlier in the pre-season and will look to add to the one Queensland Cup appearance he made late in 2018.
LIST:
Jordan McLean
Gavin Cooper
Scott Bolton
Nene Macdonald
Coen Hess
Ben Hampton
Javid Bowen
Gideon Gela-Mosby
Jake Clifford
Enari Tuala
Kurt Baptiste
Peter Hola
