Brothers eager to push Pride in Giant test
Cairns Brothers coach Paul Stevens says his side will need to limit the opportunities of former NRL-contracted strike weapons Gideon Gela-Mosby and Bernard Lewis in this weekend’s Lightning Challenge clash.
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Cairns Brothers coach Paul Stevens concedes the Northern Pride Giants’ right edge has the potential to score tries from anywhere.
The Brethren will take on the Pride Giants in the second round of the Lightning Challenge at Stan Williams Park this Saturday.
Giants coach Bevan Walker on Tuesday named former NRL-contracted players Bernard Lewis and Gideon Gela-Mosby on the right edge for the second week in a row.
The experienced flyers, who were both part of NRL systems last year, are regarded as two of the best attacking weapons in Far North Queensland.
Former Queanbeyan Blues backrower Josh Stuckey and Burleigh Bears playmaker Matthew Egan will also set up on the right side.
“They look a lot stronger on paper, with Gideon and Bernard and guys like that in their side,” Stevens said.
“Our objectives will be just to try and nullify the back five, particularly those guys, as much as possible.
“They are a lot stronger and a lot more powerful runners of the footy, so we’ll be trying to nullify that as best we can.
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“We’ll probably look at some different tactics with our kicking game, which we’ll work on this week at training.”
The responsibility of limiting the Giants’ strike weapons will be shouldered by former Pride Intrust Super Cup player Jordan Biondi-Odo.
The Brothers five-eighth was one of the best in the butcher stripes last week, working in tandem with halves partner, former Australian Touch Football junior representative Theo Majid.
“They had plenty of touches, got involved and directed us around the paddock really well,” Stevens said.
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“They’re playing left and right but I like them to link up.
“They’ve got that freedom to move around, which makes us a lot more dangerous team.”
Stevens challenged his forwards Kyle Hansen, Lee Kennedy and Tye Smith to back up last week’s efforts against the Giants’ bigger, stronger forward pack.
“They got through a mountain of work in defence and played big minutes.” he said.
“I was really impressed with how they kept turning up in defence, especially for the first game in six months, against a very strong Reef Kings side.”
Stevens said the Lightning Challenge was a great concept.
“We don’t usually get to play against these blokes, so it’s just good to do something a bit different,” he said.
“To be competitive with them is a real challenge for us, and that’s what we’re trying to do. It also allows the Pride to see a bit more out of their guys, if we can push them a bit.”
THE DRAW
Lightning Challenge – Rd 2
2pm: Northern Pride Reef Kings v Tully Tigers
4pm: Northern Pride Giants v Cairns Brothers
Both games this Saturday at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Originally published as Brothers eager to push Pride in Giant test