Northern Pride: Young gun fullback stakes claim in trial

Yarrabah flyer Keishon Hunter-Flanders didn’t miss an opportunity to his best foot forward for the Northern Pride under-21s after starring at fullback in a trial match against the Edmonton Storm.

Yarrabah flyer Keishon Hunter-Flanders didn’t miss an opportunity to his best foot forward for the Northern Pride under-21s after starring at fullback in a trial match against the Edmonton Storm.

The Pride U21s played their first trial game at Petersen Park on Saturday night, going down 20-18 against the Cairns and District Rugby League A-grade Edmonton Storm.

Hunter-Flanders looked sharp in the No. 1 jersey, making an impact with his potent combination of light-footed stepping and blistering speed.

“He caused a lot of attacking threats,” said Pride U21 coach Dave Scott.

Keishon Hunter-Flanders throws a flick pass in the Northern Pride under-21s tryouts, held at West Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The way he moves, he just glides across the grass.

“He’s just got a really good running style, moves very, very well and is highly skilful.”

But it could be the youngster’s character that left the biggest impression on coach Dave Scott.

“For his little frame, he’s very tough,” he said.

“He took a lot of heavy contact out there — all 73kgs of him — but he stuck with it.

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“I was very happy with his performance for a young kid and I think he enjoys being out there, to be fair. He just takes the hits and gets on with it.”

Munro Mosby-Stephens, Jacob McCarthy, Colt Salmond and young backrower Lachlon Rayson also had strong games for the Pride.

While the scoreline was the least of Scott’s worries, in what was his side’s first hitout of the year, there was plenty of positives to take from it.

“The lads this year stood up to the aggression a lot more,” he said.

“Even the Edmonton players were giving the young fellas credit.

Northern Pride U21 v Edmonton Storm A-grade in a pre-season trial match at Petersen Park, Edmonton. Pride's Munro Stephens. Picture: Stewart McLean

“It was a physical game and they stood up to it. That was the big thing for me — they didn’t’ shy away from it.”

Scott said it would only get harder for his side from here on in, with their second trial against the Townsville Blackhawks U21s this weekend.

“In the trials, you’ve got unlimited interchanges and 22-man squads and you get guys coming on weighing 150kg, taking two carries, defending a set and then going off,” he said.

“Of course they’re going to win the contact and run over people, but it’s not realistic.

“The Blackhawks game will be a lot more in line with what we can expect throughout the season.

“Fatigue is a big factor in the game of rugby league.”

Originally published as Northern Pride: Young gun fullback stakes claim in trial