Child, Rosendale, impress as Pride keeps finals hopes alive
He is yet to lock down a starting jersey, but five words from coach Ty Williams proves the high regard the Northern Pride holds for re-signed utility Evan Child.
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HE is yet to lock down a starting jersey, but five words from coach Ty Williams will prove the high regard the Northern Pride holds for re-signed utility Evan Child: “Welcome to the Queensland Cup”.
Child showed why he is considered a potential starting halfback in the Intrust Super Cup in what was a glittering performance in the No.7 jersey in the Pride’s 24-16 win against Redcliffe Dolphins.
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The Dolphins were bolstered by several New Zealand Warriors-contracted players as the Pride chased two vital competition points in their hunt for a post-season berth, but it was Child who provided Williams a glimpse of what he could do as the Pride’s starting halfback – now and into the future.
Child started at halfback in the absence of Matt Egan, who reinjured his shoulder in last week’s loss to Tweed, and Williams knows he can truly trust the utility in the crucial playmaking role.
“That’s the best game of Q Cup he’s played,” Williams said of Child, who scored one of his side’s five tries.
“I love the way he has developed, and against very good opposition in Redcliffe.
“Losing Matty last week was tough, but Evan really committed to it at training and it showed on the field.
“Our season isn’t done.”
Mark Rosendale stepped up in a big way in just his third Intrust Super Cup game, scoring two tries and outplaying former Tonga and New Zealand international David Fusitu’a – who has played 108 NRL games for the Warriors.
“He just got him with his pace,” Williams said.
“He’s got the speed, and he’s also probably our best leaper. I’m stoked for him and his development so far.”
It was the Pride’s young stars who led from the front, with another 2021 debutant Kenneth Fonoti opening the scoring in the fourth minute.
Cowboys-contracted forward Peter Hola scored in the 24th minute in his first appearance for the Pride since the May 22 win against Mackay Cutters.
Custodian Jayden Corrigan did not suit up, with Grant Anderson putting in another solid stint at fullback while Cephas Chinfat was good in his first game for the Pride since the 2019 season.
Nick Lui-Toso made his successful return from injury, as centre Bernard Lewis showed glimpses of his best in another strong outing.
The Pride leapfrogged Townsville and Souths Logan, who both drew, into sixth, but they must beat Burleigh at Barlow Park to guarantee their place in the finals - and could finish as high as third.
They could still miss the finals, provided Sunshine Coast, Townsville and the Magpies beat the Capras, Wynnum and Redcliffe respectively.
CHILD BACKED TO STRIVE AT HALFBACK
Northern Pride coach Ty Williams expects young playmaker Evan Child to make the most of his chance start in his preferred position in the halves this weekend.
Child has been named to start at halfback this Sunday against Redcliffe in the place of Matt Egan, who reinjured his shoulder in last week’s 34-12 loss to Tweed Seagulls.
The Cairns Brothers junior has made nine appearances for the Pride this season, eight of them at centre, but has had to bide his time in the halves pecking order behind Egan and Thomas Steadman.
Child started at halfback for the injured Egan against Wynnum Manly in round 12, but only got through 25 minutes before an HIA to Grant Anderson caused a reshuffle.
“It’s exciting for Ev to get a chance to play in the halves finally,” Williams said.
“We went to Wynnum and named him in the halves but we lost Grant pretty quickly and we had to make an adjustment there, so he hasn’t played a full game at six or seven for us yet (this season). Touch wood that this weekend he gets the opportunity.
Williams said Child had come on “leaps and bounds” this season.
“You got to remember two years ago, even last year, he was a Cairns Brothers A-grade player,” he said.
“Now he’s a permanent Intrust Super Cup player, which is good to see, and he gets his opportunity on the weekend, which will be awesome.”
Williams said he was excited to see Child and Steadman take the field together.
“They trained together all week leading into the Wynnum game, and then during that period where we weren’t playing, they were still training together,” he said.
“They’ve worked on their combinations so it’s not as if it’s unusual for them. Hopefully they get to fulfil that out on the field this weekend.”
He said both players would likely be given free rein to play on both sides of the field.
“I’ll probably let both of them float,” he said.
“I think that’s probably a key area for us, and then obviously it gives (fullback Jayden) Corrigan a chance just to float through the middle.
“We’ll try and link them two up as good as possible, just because Tommy’s a very direct player, whereas Evan’s a ball-playing half, so we’ll try and utilise both their strengths on either side of the field.”
Williams said Corrigan and prop Nick Lui-Toso would be racing the clock to prove their fitness for Sunday’s clash.
“Corrigan needs to do what he has to do to get through, Nick Lui-Toso’s not far off, we’ll see how he goes at the back end of the week,” he said.
“They’re hopefully a couple of handy inclusions.”
Matt Musumeci is not available for selection after copping a nasty head knock at training last week, while Egan is not expected to be available until the first week of finals – if the Pride make it.
Originally published as Child, Rosendale, impress as Pride keeps finals hopes alive
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