Northern Pride are on the cusp of claiming their first flag in 10 years as they discover their winning formula

Northern Pride have discovered the recipe that could deliver them their first premiership since 2014.

Northern Pride players tackle their Townsville Blackhawks opponent in the Hostplus Cup match at Barlow Park. Picture: CHRIS ROBSON

Northern Pride have discovered the recipe that could deliver them their first premiership since 2014.

The Pride are sitting first on the HostPlus Cup ladder after a thumping victory over North Queensland rival Townsville Blackhawks, keeping them scoreless in what was a strong defensive display.

Pride coach Eric Smith said it was pleasing to see the defence stand up like they did.

“The players will probably tell you that my mindset is always around defence,” Smith said.

“It might not look like that at times the way we move the football and some of the score lines that we have had.

Northern Pride's Dantoray Lui scores the opening try in the North Queensland rivalry clash against Townsville Blackhawks in the Hostplus cup match at Barlow Park. Picture: CHRIS ROBSON

“But our number one focus every week is around our defence.

“I thought our defence really energised our attack on the weekend, the way we were able to kick and chase and put them into corners.

“They really struggled to get out of there end.

“We have enough strike in our team and know our football well enough that we can complete that high when we cross the line.”

It was the first time this year the Pride had kept a team scoreless, with their previous lowest score against coming from the Mackay Cutters.

Captain Kyle Schneider has led from the front in defence with the Hooker laying a total of 457 tackles this season, third overall.

Joining him inside the top 10 is 2nd Rower Ewan Moore with 418 tackles.

The only two teams who have two players inside the top 10 apart from the Pride are Burleigh Bears (fourth) and Central Queensland Capras (seventh)

The Pride will look to keep up their undefeated streak at home when they battle with Cowboys affiliate side and North Queensland rivals, Mackay Cutters.

“Anytime you play against the North Queensland rival, there seems to be a lot more feeling to it,” Smith said.

“The boys all week at training, you could see they had a bit of something extra in them building up to last weekend and I expect the same this week.

“It does feel like a final type of game when you play a rival and coming up against a fellow Cowboys affiliate team in the Cutters will add something extra to it as well.”

Pride’s Will Partridge is just another reason the Pride have sit where they sit with the Centre scoring 11 tries this season.

“He has been really good, he didn’t start in the team in the early rounds and there was a bit of pressure on him to get back in,” Smith said.

“Once he got back in, he has really added and started to feel confident in his football now as well.

“We have been blessed this season where we have had some really good depth in our outside backs.

“I thought our outside back group has done a really good job this year with guys having different stints at times with injuries.

“Nat (McGavin) was injured on the weekend, and I thought Daniel Woodhouse was one of our best players from the weekend.

“Especially with the way he carried the ball out of our end.

“Really happy with the quality of depth we have with our outside backs.”

Originally published as Northern Pride are on the cusp of claiming their first flag in 10 years as they discover their winning formula