The 12 players that could turn Northern Pride into a future powerhouse

The Northern Pride have some of the best junior and colt talent coming through, here is a look into the future stars in the Pride pathway.

Cayde Miller of the Pride in action during the Cyril Connell Challenge between the Northern Pride and the CQ Capras at Barlow Park on Saturday. Picture Emily Barker.

The Northern Pride are two wins away from being crowned the Q-Cup premiers but what does life look like for the Far North Queensland side after 2024?

The Pride, who look to claim their first premiership in 10 years have a wide range of talent coming through the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup pathways.

With a number of players retiring, stepping up into the NRL or moving at the end of the season, it opens the door for the players coming through the junior pathways.

Below are the players to watch:

Boys Rugby League State Championship held at Northern Division, Brothers Leagues ground, Townsville. 16-18 years. Peninsula (stripe) v Darling Downs (blue/purple). Jason Hastie of Mareeba SHS

Jason Hastie – Cyril Connell Cup – Prop

Hastie is a big bodied back who helped set the platform with Miller in the Cyril Connell Cup in 2024. Although not receiving a NRL contract, Hastie is a player to keep a close eye on in future years as the Pride look to become a dominant force.

Cayde Miller of the Pride in action during the Cyril Connell Challenge between the Northern Pride and the CQ Capras at Barlow Park on Saturday. Picture Emily Barker.

Cayde Miller – Cyril Connell Cup – Prop

Miller signed with the Cowboys after a dominant display for the Pride in the Cyril Connell Cup earlier this year. The big bodied prop with mouth-watering speed is someone the Pride will want to keep on their books.

Aaron Payne Cup at Jack Manski Oval. Holy Spirit against St Augustine College. Saints' Cooper Meares. Picture: Evan Morgan

Cooper Meares – Cyril Connell Cup – Forward

Meares is another big bodied bull, who does not shy away from contact, busting through tackles and laying them when needed. Meares was a strong performer for St Augustine’s College in the Aaron Payne Cup as well as the Pride in Cyril Connell Cup.

St Augustine's College hooker Ben Walker practices ahead of the school's final game against Mareeba SHS in the Aaron Payne Cup. Picture: Jake Garland

Ben Walker – Cyril Connell Cup – Hooker

Walker is a young gun who always leaves everything on the field, it was evident of that during the Cyril Connell Cup and the Aaron Payne Cup. Another talented young gun the Pride will be very happy to keep with the potential to be a leader of the Far North side.

Mareeba v Mackay in the Aaron Payne Cup. Mareeba SHS, Narason Moorcroft-Kose. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Jaxson Rayson – Cyril Connell Cup – Second Row

Similar to Walker, a young gun who leaves nothing in the tank when the final whistle goes. Rayson had a strong performance in the Cyril Connell Cup this season being named among one of the best defenders.

Floyd Sakail, Harmon Benioni and Kaelen Callaghan – Cyril Connell Cup.

The trio were named among some of the fastest players during the Cyril Connell Cup earlier this season. If either of these three got into open space, good luck to the defence on trying to chase them down. Along with defence, speed is a key aspect to delivering a premiership to the Pride and in years to come, these three could help.

Narason Moorcroft-Kose – Mal Meninga Cup – Middle Forward

The Mareeba State High School prospect is another star player the Pride have their hands on and is on the cusp of pushing for a league spot. The wrecking ball from up the hill will be a force in years to come and tough to keep out.

Pride's Mason Kira in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Sunshine Coast Falcons, held at Barlow Park, Cairns Picture: Brendan Radke

Mason Kira – Mal Meninga Cup – Forward

A big man from Mountain Creek State High School, Kira is an edge forward wrecking ball with untapped potential. He is a real Dynamo and it is little surprise the astute Melbourne Storm talent scouts see something in him. Kira was part of the 2024 Emerging Origin squad. The 19-year-old has played four games for the Pride seniors, including the qualifying final win over the Falcons.

Lachlan Magill of the Pride in action during the Cyril Connell Challenge between the Northern Pride and the CQ Capras at Barlow Park on Saturday. Picture Emily Barker.

Lachlan Magill – Mal Meninga Cup – Defender

Magill was named among the best defenders in the Mal Meninga Cup this season and shows great potential for a future pathway through the Pride into the NRL.

Jirra Twist – Mal Meninga Cup – Winger.

It is always tough coming back from a knee injury and making an impact, but Twist showed no sign of the injury, using his speed to blast through tackles and into open space during the Mal Meninga Cup this season. Another player, who the Pride could use his speed for.

Originally published as The 12 players that could turn Northern Pride into a future powerhouse