Northern Pride’s finals showdown: A clash of titans at Barlow Park
Eric Smith and Northern Pride’s number one goal was to be a “heavy presence” in the finals and now the opportunity is there to be snatched in a do-or-die finals clash.
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Eric Smith and Northern Pride’s number one goal was to be a “heavy presence” in the finals and now the opportunity is thereto be snatched in a do-or-die clash against Sunshine Coast Falcons.
As the Northern Pride gear up for their first finals match, anticipation is electric for the upcoming clash.
This pivotal home semi-final – scheduled for Saturday at 2pm at Barlow Park – promises to be a thrilling encounter as the minor premiers look to extend their home and away dominance where it matters most.
The Pride concluded the regular season in resounding fashion with a 34-24 comeback victory over the Burleigh Bears in Round 23.
Despite trailing 4-12 at halftime, the team showcased their resilience and strategic strength, securing the win with a strongsecond-half performance.
Dantoray Lui’s double, alongside tries from Nick Lui-Toso, Will Partridge, Ewan Moore, and Dane Aukafolau, underscored theteam’s depth and adaptability.
Head Coach Eric Smith, who has guided the Pride to their first minor premiership in a decade, has emphasised the importance of focusing on the task ahead.
Smith, transitioning to the Redcliffe Dolphins at season’s end, has been instrumental in the Pride’s remarkable ascent from seventh place last year to the top spot in 2024.
His experience in blockbuster games adds a strategic edge to the match-up against side he once coached himself.
The fierce Falcons, having secured fourth place and coming off a decisive 42-16 win over the Norths Devils, are not to be underestimated after a strong season.
Falcons will be bolstered by the additions of Ammaron Gudgeon, Cruz Lasike and Jamie Hill into the side.
Although the Pride defeated the Falcons 38-18 in their last encounter, the Falcons’ performance and the nature of finals football ensure a ferocious battle awaits.
Kick off Saturday 2pm at Barlow Park.
Dantoray Lui’s double powers Northern Pride to 34-24 comeback win over Bears
Minor premiers Pride finished the season in dramatic fashion with Dantoray Lui scoring a double to help secure a 34-24 comeback victory against the Burleigh Bears at UAA Park.
Down 4-12 at halftime, the Pride have developed a habit of starting matches slowly before hitting their stride and dominating in the second half.
Once again, they delivered a masterclass when it mattered most, with prop Nick Lui-Toso, centre Will Partridge and second-row duo Ewan Moore and Dane Aukafolau all hitting the scoreboard.
With superstar halfback Jake Clifford recently called up to the Cowboys, the Pride have had to find new ways to replace his offensive threat.
Five-eighth Lui was instrumental, while orchestrator Thomas Duffy continued his outstanding form this season, converting five tries.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons, whom the Pride defeated 38-18 just under a fortnight ago, now await the league leaders in the first week of finals after securing fourth spot with a dominant 42-16 victory over the Norths Devils.
It has been a remarkable season, with the Northern Pride wrapping up the home and away season with 17 wins, three losses, and their first minor premiership in 10 years.
Last Thursday, Northern Pride head coach Eric Smith announced he will step down to join the Redcliffe Dolphins at the end of the season.
Smith was approached last week by Dolphins assistant coach Kristian Woolf about the opportunity to take up a dual coaching role with the Dolphins’ NRL and Queensland Cup sides.
Smith will remain with the Pride until the end of the season, with his focus on leading a strong 2024 finals campaign.
From setback to success: Northern Pride’s Terrence Casey-Douglas journey to game 50
As Northern Pride honoured Terrence Casey-Douglas for his 50th game, the occasion was not just a celebration of his career but a testament to his perseverance and the support that fuelled his return.
In Northern Pride’s last fixture, Terrence Casey-Douglas played his 50th match for the team. Through all the trials and tribulations, Casey-Douglas described the journey to his 50th game as significant.
“Coming from near the Gulf of Carpentaria up in Normanton, as a junior, we rarely got to play footy week in and week out,” he said. “When we did get the opportunity to play, we embraced every part of it and loved it.”
A proud Tagalaka and Kurtijar man, Casey-Douglas grew up in Normanton, a rural town northeast of Mt Isa and far west of Cairns, where his dad was from, while his mum was from nearby Croydon.
A Normanton Stingrays junior, the powerful prop progressed through the pathway system to earn his opportunity. After starting with the Northern Pride in 2019, Terrence had a strong start to his career before suffering a tragic ACL injury in the 2022 season.
The serious injury sidelined Casey-Douglas for the remainder of the 2022 season and all of 2023, throwing his career into doubt.
“I went away and did a bit of work on myself with the support of the Pride,” he said. “I got a call from Eric at the end of last year with an opportunity to come back into the squad this year, and I’ve taken the chance with both hands. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the season so far. I absolutely love the group. It makes the victories a whole lot better.”
Northern Pride coach Eric Smith gave Casey-Douglas a moment to remember with a late-game conversion to seal the victory and the minor premiership during his milestone match against the Falcons.
Casey-Douglas admitted he was nervous lining it up but knew his teammates were with him, which gave him the confidence to slot it through the posts.
“The number one thing about Terrence is that every single person in our playing group and our staff at the club absolutely loves him as a person,” Smith said. “He’s the most genuine, nicest guy you’ll ever meet off the field. He works extremely hard at his job. He won the ‘North Queensland Apprentice of the Year’ award this year and is heading to Brisbane to see if he wins the state award. You could just tell how happy and proud everyone in our squad and our staff were for Terrence reaching that milestone.”
The 25-year-old said his cousin, Davin Crampton, inspired him from a young age after the former Gold Coast Titan made his way to the NRL from the same humble hometown.
“Davin set the platform for us young fellas, coming over to the Pride after being scouted,” Casey-Douglas said. “He got the opportunity to come over and showcase his talents, and that encouraged me to do the same. Now I’m lucky enough to share a similar journey.”
Northern Pride will take on the Burleigh Bears in the final match of the home and away season, 3pm this Saturday at UAA Park, Gold Coast.
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