Northern Pride headed to Cooktown giving back to the region as they make it nine straight wins

Northern Pride have claimed their ninth win in a row but it has come at the cost of an injury to a star player.

The Northern Pride will pay homage to the indigenous people and culture of Cairns when they wear specially designed indigenous jerseys in their Intrust Super Cup Queensland Rugby League match up in Cooktown against Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Northern Pride have claimed their ninth win in a row but it has come at the cost of an injury to a star player.

Prop Josh Allen came from the field late in the Pride’s 32-12 over Wynnum Manly Seagulls at John Street Oval in Cooktown.

Pride coach Eric Smith said Allen is unlikely to play next week.

“He came from the ground with an ankle injury which is a little disappointing and I highly doubt he would be available for next week,” Smith said.

“There are a few things we need to work on and not a lot of time to get those things right.

“It is great for the boys to get the win and exciting time to be around but we are still working on those issues as well.

Northern Pride prop Josh Allen is likely to miss the clubs next home game against the Clydesdale on Saturday August 3. Picture: Emily Barker

“It was a great challenge for the boys and then to bounce back the way they did in the second half really is a testament to them.”

Allen has missed half the season with suspension after being sent to the sin bin in the round 9 loss to PNG Hunters and returned for the round 17 win over the Capras.

The Pride scored the opening try only for the Seagulls to respond minutes later equalising inside 20 minutes before the Pride scored again to head into the half time break 12-6.

The ladder leaders, Northern Pride, then scored the next four tries of the match to blow out to a 32-6 lead with six minutes to go.

The win over the Seagulls is the ninth win in a row for the Pride which equals an all time record for the club for the most consecutive wins in the home and away season.

They’ve equalled the record set back in 2010 when the Pride won from rounds 14-22. The Pride would go onto win the premiership in 2010, claiming their first title and also claiming another eight games straight to win 17 consecutive games in a row.

But it wasn’t all game focus for the Pride who gave back to the community in the three day trip to Cooktown.

“Yeah it was really nice for the players to get out amongst the community and mix it with the supporters who wouldn’t get the opportunity to watch us play,” Smith said.

“It was great to see the crowd get down and watch us and then stick around and get pics with the players and ask for signatures.

“The boys really loved it and it is a great idea.”

The Pride will turn their head to round 20’s clash with Clydesdales on Saturday August 3 at Barlow Park.

NORTHERN PRIDE HIT THE COMMUNITY IN SHOW OF THANKS

It is one of the biggest weeks on the Northern Pride schedule as they head to Cooktown for round 19 against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

But it isn’t what is happening on the field that makes it the round so big for the Pride.

Instead, it is known as country week.

A week where the Pride go to a regional town and provide support and growth for the sport as well as the community.

Pride chief executive Garreth Smith said it is such an important week for us.

“When I first started I was told that the Pride didn’t give back to regional communities as much and coming from Weipa that was something I wanted to change,” Smith said.

“Everywhere we went during Country Week, we were just in and out, didn’t show our brand and didn’t do much engagement.

“The importance in Country Week to me is really important particular because of where I come from.

“I know in Weipa they don’t get to see that level of footy or NRL and if this is the way that could present to them, with the second tier level with a sprinkling of NRL players, those kids in the communities would love it.”

The Pride will wear their Indigenous jersey again for Country Week, a jersey they wore back in round 17 against Central Queensland Capras.

The jersey was designed by Wujal Wujal man Bradley Michael.

“The circles in the middle represent the communities affected by floods inside the weave. The outside circles represent the people from outside of the flood affected communities helping with supplies, housing, food and comfort,” Michael said.

“Footprints represent the travelling that was involved to help others in the flood, travelling away from family, community and rebuilding the community whether it be by foot, car, plane or boat.

“Circles inside the weave are families that had to leave their homes to live elsewhere until it was safe enough to return home. I connected all the communities together as strangers became friends.

“It does take a village of people to rise up and make a community great again.”

Northern Pride are on their best winning streak as they look to make it nine wins in a row against the Seagulls on Saturday afternoon.

Smith said they are just keeping themselves grounded.

“I can’t probably speak for a training point of view but from a club we are excited but we know we just need to stay focused on the week at hand,” Smith said.

“Eric (coach) does a wonderful job keeping them focused at the week ahead.

“As I said, we are aware of how well the boys are doing but we just need to keep at it one week at a time.”

Kick off between the Pride and the Seagulls is at 3:30pm on Saturday at John Street Oval in Cooktown.

Originally published as Northern Pride headed to Cooktown giving back to the region as they make it nine straight wins