Pride half bulking up with the big boys in coronavirus shutdown
They signed him as a halfback but Ty Williams is concerned he might be a prop by the time footy returns.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cricket boss reveals future in role
- Virus threat claims another FNQ sports event
- NRL: Cowboy set for toughest mental challenge
- Saints’ founding father left a legacy
They signed him as a halfback but Ty Williams is concerned he might be a prop by the time footy returns.
The Pride coach is hoping young half Matthew Egan doesn’t bulk up too much while training with forwards Joshua Stuckey and Joseph Eichner during the Intrust Super Cup shutdown.
NRL NEWS:
> FITTLER UNLOADS, STUNNED BY VIRUS CALL
> SEVEN SWOOPS AMID NINE’S NASTY NRL SPAT
> WARRIORS IN SERIOUS DANGER OF MISSING NRL RESTART
> NRL BOSS PUTS HEAT ON PALASZCZUK OVER SEASON RESTART
With the QRL cancelling its four statewide competitions, including the Intrust Super Cup, last month due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus, Williams has implored his playing group to make the most of an unfortunate situation by turning adversity into advantage.
Egan, an agile playmaker, has been training alongside hulking edge forwards Stuckey and Eichner since the QRL banned team training last month.
> PRIDE COP ANOTHER BLOW AS QRL CUTS FUNDING
Williams said the trio’s living arrangements allowed them to continue training together, but he hoped Egan wouldn’t pack on too much muscle while lifting with the big boys.
“I hope he doesn’t think this stage is bulking phase,” he said.
> PRIDE EAGER TO JOIN LOCAL SPORTS INITIATIVE
“They’ve got pallets and blocks and everything.
“It’s been intriguing to see them come up with those ideas.”
Egan produced a strong performance for the Pride in their first pre-season trial against the Cairns Foley Shield side, before suffering a thumb injury in their second trial against the Townsville Blackhawks.
> PRIDE PLAYERS COULD TAKE FIELD DESPITE SCRAPPED SEASON
The injury ruled him out of the Pride’s 16-10 loss to Tweed in Round 1 – the only game to be played before the season was postponed and, later, cancelled.
“He’s still got that bit of a thumb complaint that he’s constantly in touch with the physios for,” Williams said.
> HOW CDRL WILL PROTECT COMP’S STRENGTHS
“He’s got a bit of rehab and recovery stuff to get through as well, so he needs to keep his pedal down and keep working hard.”
Egan, who won the Rugby League Gold Coast premiership with the Burleigh Bears last year, recently returned to the Gold Coast to temporarily be closer to family.
> QRLW SURVIVAL COULD HINGE ON NRL
“He’s employed by one of the schools in the local region,” Williams said.
“Once the schools kick back up, he’ll come back and continue with his employment.”
> THE 10 BEST SPORTS GAMES TO PLAY DURING CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN
The playmaker could also line up in the Cairns and District Rugby League this year — if and when it returns — under the Pride’s portability agreement, which allows state league players to suit up for local teams.
Originally published as Pride half bulking up with the big boys in coronavirus shutdown