TDRL Transfer Centre: Ex-Origin hardman Tom Learoyd-Lahrs links with Townsville club Norths Devils

A former NRL star will bring his vast experience to this TDRL club, while a former Cowboy is forced to sit the season out.

Norths Devils have secured a huge recruitment coup ahead of the 2022 Rugby League Townsville and District season, with a former State of Origin star entering the fold.

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs — a veteran of 120 NRL games with the Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm prior to his injury enforced retirement — will come on board in a coaching capacity to help mentor the young forwards at the club.

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While Devils president Karl Adams said the 36-year-old would not be lacing up the boots, the wear and tear on the tireless props knees proving too great a burden, the knowledge he would pass down to the next generation would prove invaluable.

Former Raider Tom Learoyd-Lahrs will mentor some of the Devils young guns.

“I’ve asked him for the last couple of years but he’s definitely not keen on putting the boots on,” Adams said.

“He will come in and do some specialised development coaching sessions for the club. His son and daughter play at the club in the juniors, so he’s around all the time.

“He’s been keen to get involved with the seniors, but we’re trying to work in his other commitments as well. He’ll come in and do sessions once a month in specialised areas.

“I think his knowledge being passed on will be great for all the players.”

At this stage, Norths have not made any active movements on the player market, with Adams determined to ensure the junior development of the club transitions into the senior arena.

When he first arrived at the Devils in 2020, the side was struggling for numbers and he said several youngsters would often leave for new outfits once they reached A-grade levels.

Already he was beginning to see future focal points of the side earning their stripes, headlined by 19-year-old halfback Ethan Edwards, who has been training alongside the Blackhawks under-21s squad.

“He was a standout, he played every minute of every game for us last year. He plays well above his weight, I honestly think he’d be 75kg but he definitely doesn’t shirk that when he’s out on the field,” Adams said.

“He takes on anyone that’s in front of him, and given he’s so small he does get targeted a lot. “I honestly think given he’s a junior of the club he’s probably someone that will be part of the future of the club. I think one of my biggest key focuses while I’m president will be getting the juniors and the seniors to amalgamate.

“We just see too many of our juniors go to different clubs when they’re old enough to play seniors. We don’t want that, and we want to try improve in that area.”

While Adams said Norths would continue to collaborate with players from Palm Island, ultimately Covid-19 concerns would play a factor in how they proceed.

Last year the then A-grade coach witnessed the likes of prop Isiah Blackman find his feet, building on his fitness to go from reserve grade to a regular bookend in the top level.

However the biggest loss for 2022 will be that of Adams’ brother, Trey Kemp, the former North Queensland Cowboys under-20s utility who endured a luckless campaign last year.

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After suffering a leg fracture during a trial game, Kemp returned midway through the season only to suffer the same fate on his other leg.

“He had a couple of injuries last year which saw him out of work for quite some time. I think he’s just concentrating getting on track with employment side of things for this year anyway,” Adams said.

“He definitely didn’t have a good year … he’s purely just working on his life away from footy at the moment. A lot of the players at the club just respected him by the way he carries himself and the way he just talks off the field.”

Originally published as TDRL Transfer Centre: Ex-Origin hardman Tom Learoyd-Lahrs links with Townsville club Norths Devils