Norths stalwart convinced he scored try that could have changed match

“I scored it. One hundred per cent I scored’’. See the moment that changed the latest A-Grade showdown.

Norths celebrate a try that was awarded in their earlier season win over Brothers at Raceview. Picture: Bruce Clayton

NORTHS vice-captain Ethan Page was confident he had grounded the ball in the second half of Sunday’s A-Grade duel at Purga.

It was a decisive moment in the Rugby League Ipswich match of the round.

Had the try been awarded, Norths would have taken the lead 24-20 at a crucial stage of the game.

However, the referee ruled Page had been held up.

“I scored it. One hundred per cent I scored,’’ Page said.

“I don’t know what happened there but a couple of 50-50 calls in the second half didn’t go our way.’’

Shortly after the no-try decision, Swifts fullback Godfrey Okot added Swifts’ fifth four-pointer to secure the 26-20 win.

Okot played with heavily strapped ribs from an earlier bruising match.

“He’s out of this world,’’ Swifts prop Luke O’Doherty said of his teammate.

“I don’t know how he’s not over playing Q-Cup or signed with a Queensland Cup team.

“He is just quality. He just makes something out of nothing.’’

However, Swifts have lost captain Cam Picker for the season with ACL damage and fractures in his left knee.

Norths vice-captain Ethan Page. Picture: Bruce Clayton

While disappointed with the no-try call, Page said the Tigers shouldn’t put themselves in a position where they have to dig deep to ground out a win.

“We just kind of make it hard on ourselves sometimes to stay in the game,’’ Page said.

Having come up through Norths juniors into A-Grade, Page said the Tigers were battling for consistency due to injuries.

However, he felt Norths were building some momentum.

“A lot of the older boys are gone and these younger boys are coming through now,’’ he said.

“So it’s a different mix of boys than we did have last year so it’s trying to find a good space where we can all kind of contribute together as a team.’’

In his first year as vice-captain, Page typifies the passion many of his loyal Tigers teammates share in wanting to pull on the jersey for their club.

“We have higher expectations than just go down to the top team by six points,’’ he said.

“No matter where we are on the field and no matter what scoreline we are, I think we are a good enough team to go and battle against any other team.’’

Among the Norths’ rising talents are halfback Lachlan Williamson who tormented the Swifts defence with his high, swirling kicks that regularly improved the Tigers’ field position.

“Lachy is one of the young guys coming through that is really doing well,’’ Page said.

“He’s finding his form.’’