Northern Pride: Egan ready to turn up heat on halves battle

If Northern Pride halfback Matt Egan earns a starting spot in round one, he will have his halves rivals at the club to thank.

If Northern Pride halfback Matt Egan can secure a starting spot in Round 1 when the Intrust Super Cup kicks off, he will have his halves rivals at the club to thank.

The former Burleigh playmaker, who helped steer the Bears to the Rugby League Gold Coast premiership in 2019, said the Pride’s halves hopefuls were bringing out the best in one another during the extended pre-season.

Egan is locked in a three-way battle with Cairns Brothers junior Evan Child and North Sydney recruit Tom Steadman, whose arrival at the club in the off-season lifted the level of competition in the playmaking roles.

“It’s been really good,” Egan said.

Northern Pride’s Matt Egan at pre-season training. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

“It’s healthy competition. I think it all pushes us and drives us to be better and it keeps us all accountable on what we’re doing at training. I think it’s great for us.”

There is also the external factor of North Queensland’s Jake Clifford and Ben Hampton, who will be parachuted into the Pride line-up if not required for NRL duty by Cowboys coach Todd Payten.

With the Pride to play their only pre-season trial against Intrust Super Cup rivals the Blackhawks in Townsville this weekend, and starting spots at a premium, Egan will be out to impress as he pushes his case for Round 1 selection.

“I’ve just got to do the work now,” he said.

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“It’s been a long pre-season but I’ve just got to play good footy now and — fingers crossed — hopefully it might come off.”

Egan joined the Pride ahead of the 2020 season but did not get to make his club debut before the season was cancelled.

The 24-year-old was named 18th man in the Pride’s first and only game of the 2020 Intrust Super Cup season on his way back from a dislocated thumb.

He played for the Pride’s teams in last year’s Lightning Challenge.

Pride coach Ty Williams will name his squad to face the Blackhawks on Wednesday afternoon, with a chance to see some of the Pride’s Cowboys allocated players in action.

In the corresponding clash last year, the Pride were bolstered by Hampton and fellow Cowboys NRL players Wiremu Greig and Ben Condon.

The Pride will meet the Blackhawks in a pre-season trial at Jack Manski Oval this Saturday. Kick-off is at 6pm.

The club will open its Intrust Super Cup campaign against the Falcons at the Sunshine Coast on March 20.

Originally published as Northern Pride: Egan ready to turn up heat on halves battle