Kangaroos land major recruit with former Pride star to join the club
Kangaroos have landed a major recruit for 2020, as a former junior returns to the club on a full-time basis as they chase a Cairns District Rugby League premiership.
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Kangaroos have landed a major recruit for 2020, with a former junior set to return to the club on a full-time basis as they chase a Cairns District Rugby League premiership.
The Cairns Post can reveal Bradley Stephen has signed for the club with whom he played his junior footy, and he’s more determined than ever to impress.
Stephen played nine games for the Northern Pride in 2019 to extend his total number of Intrust Super Cup appearances to 28 since 2015.
But the centre, who can also play at fullback, was overlooked during the Pride’s retention drive for their 2020 campaign.
Stephen enjoyed a short break from rugby league, but he’s been back in the gym and pounding the pavement to get back to the best form of his life and show Pride officials why they were wrong to snub to experienced outside back.
And he’ll do that at the place he’s called home for two decades.
“I feel a lot better now, and I’m using (missing out on a Pride contract) as motivation,” Stephen said.
“In the end it was easy to decide to come back to Kangaroos.
“They have a great squad at Roos, plenty of young players who are there and I can help develop them as football players.
“It means a lot to me to be able to go back to Kangaroos and wear the jersey again full-time.”
Stephen’s last game of footy came at the Gordonvale Indigenous Carnival, where he and former North Queensland Cowboys flyer Gideon Gela-Mosby carved up for Erub United.
Playing for the club which represents his home and family, Stephen was among the best performers at the two-day carnival.
It might be where his passion for the game was enhanced.
“I really enjoyed being able to play with the family,” he said.
“It’s just a good time playing for the team which represents my home and playing alongside family.”
Kangaroos haven’t heavily recruited for the new season, instead relying on the club’s production line of talented players coming through their system.
The club is yet to appoint a coach for 2020, and have gone back to the market after missing out on several targets.
It won’t set them back too far, with the players more determined than ever to make the finals.
Originally published as Kangaroos land major recruit with former Pride star to join the club
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