Northern Pride five-eighth to sign with Melbourne Storm

THREE months ago, Shaun Nona was playing for the Tully Tigers in far north Queensland. Now he’s about to sign with NRL giants Storm.

Action from the Intrust Super Cup rugby league match between the Northern Pride and the Tweed Seagulls, held at Barlow Park, Cairns. Photo of Shaun Nona. Picture: Brendan Radke.

THREE months ago, Shaun Nona was playing for the Tully Tigers in front of 200 people in far north Queensland.

This week the Northern Pride star will sign with the Melbourne Storm in a remarkable rise to the NRL.

It is the five-eighth’s first NRL contract after being told throughout his teens that he was too slow and too small to ever crack first grade.

The Pride revelation was excellent again as the premiership favourites held out the fast-finishing Tweed Heads Seagulls to win 22-18 at Barlow Park on Sunday afternoon.

It was a battle of first against second and the Pride proved they possessed the toughness to win the premiership this year.

The Pride, playing in front of 10,000 fans as the curtain-raiser to Souths Sydney’s clash with Newcastle, dug in to thwart several late raids and secure the Intrust Super Cup minor premiership.

Northern Pride’s Shaun Rona in action against the PNG Hunters at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Pride’s march to the minor premiership has come as Nona’s form peaks.

He has only cemented his place in the Pride team in the last three months after years of starring for Tully, a small coastal town south of Cairns that was wrecked by Cyclone Yasi.

Earlier this year he was forced back to Tully to make way for Cowboys half Rob Lui.

Only six weeks ago he secured manager Kim Ingebrigtsen who believed his Intrust Super Cup form could translate to the NRL.

The Storm felt the same.

“I struggled to make representative sides growing up because I wasn’t as big and wasn’t as fast as others,” Nona said.

“I got a better as I grew I guess.

“Last year was my first year with the Pride. This year when Rob Lui first came back I dropped back to local league and played a game for Tully Tigers.

“I worked my way back into the Pride and it has gone well from there.

“I just love being here among this group of boys.

“There’s some NRL interest and hopefully something happens in the next few days.”

Originally published as Northern Pride five-eighth to sign with Melbourne Storm