2013 was the sixth competitive season for the Cairns based Skill360 Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club. They were one of 12 clubs that played in the eighteenth season of Queensland's top rugby league competition, QRL's Intrust Super Cup, with each team playing 11 home games and 11 away games over 24 weeks between March and August.
The Pride moved their administration from Jones Park, Mann Street, to 'Northern Pride HQ', Moore House at Barlow Park, and the team spent more time training at West Barlow Park.
Except for Round 2 and Round 9, the Pride were on the top of the ladder every week, finishing in first place at the end of the regular season with 17 wins to claim their first Minor Premiership. Despite their winning form this season, the Pride lost both the Major Semi-Final (to Easts Tigers) and the Preliminary Final (to Mackay Cutters), missing out on a Grand Final appearance. The Cutters went on to defeat the Tigers in the Grand Final.
At the end of the season Captain Ty Williams retired.
Chief executive: Chris Sheppard then Brock Schaefer. (Shep resigned in April 2013, and was replaced the following month by Northern Pride business development manager, Brock Schaefer).[6]
Chairman: Bob Fowler
Board of Directors: Craig Meiklejohn, Bob Fowler, Anthony Mirotsos, Bill Phillips, David Smith.[7]
2013 Squad
The Pride used 32 players this season. Fourteen players from last year signed with the club again, and six of the Cowboys allocation players from last year were assigned to the Pride again this year. Twelve new players made their debut this season; eight were new signings (Aiden Smith, Jordan Biondi-Odo, Mervyn Walker, Nick Dorante, Sam Obst, Semi Tadulala, Steve Snitch and Tom Hancock), and four were new Cowboys allocation players (Felise Kaufusi*, Kyle Feldt*, Ray Thompson* and Scott Moore*). Although Ethan Lowe was signed by the Cowboys, he was allocated to the Pride and made 20 appearances in QCup this season.
North Queensland Cowboys: 1 Zac Santo, 2 Zac Mackay, 3 Javid Bowen, 4 Samsen O'Neill, 5 Len Magey, 6 Alex Grant, 7 Sam Foster, 8 Damon Tauroa-Rauhihi, 9 Jayden Hodges, 10 Patrick Kaufusi, 11 Jack Kelleher, 12 Jack Svendsen, 13 Chris Grevsmuhl.
Interchange: 14 Jorden White, 15 P J Webb, 16 Jack Rycen, 17 Sean Young, 18 Andrew Asi-Hunt Niemoller, 19 Kunro Kalo, 20 Brady Williams, 21 Mitchell Grimes, 22 Corey Jensen.
Note: This game was played as the opening match to the 'Sea Swift Cairns Challenge' North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons trial match, which started at 7.30pm. The Cowboys won 28–22. The Pride players that were not selected for this game joined the U-18s squad and played against the CDRL Mareeba Gladiators.
Pre-season Trial 2 Saturday 23 February 2013 18:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Unlimited Interchange: 14. Mervyn Walker, 17. Tom Hancock, 18. Alex Starmer, 21. Aidan Smith, 22. Jordan Tighe, 23. Zac Parter, 24. Bradley Stephen, 25. Justin Castellaro, 26. Jordan Biondi-Odo, 27. Brian Murgha, 28. Sam Pau, 29. Josateki Murray (U-18s), 30. Pete Tognolini.
* = Cowboys allocation
Unavailable: Noel Underwood (knee), Jason Roos (knee)
Agmark Rabaul Gurias: 1. Albert Patak, 2. Chris Jerry, 3. Francis Paniu, 4. Jacky Marcus, 5. Boas Ruru, 6. Dion Aiye, 7. Ase Boas, 8. Junior Pangogo, 9. Wartovo Puara Jr, 10. Daniel Pai, 11. Emmanuel John, 12. Hobert Hondole, 13. Kot Kerowa.
Interchange: 14. Eliab Pauria, 15. Nelson Daplen 16. Sakisa Kabange.
Note: The Agmark Rabaul Gurias are from Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea. They are the 2012 Premiers of the PNG League Championship, the Digimark Cup. The Gurias entered the PNG Championship in 1990 (the championship has been variously called the PNG Intercity Rugby League Competition, the SP Cup, the bemobile Cup and the Digimark Cup). Their first success came in 1999 when they were runners up, then 2000 (runners up), 2001 (premiers), 2002 (runners up), 2003 (premiers), 2005 (premiers), 2007 (runners up), 2009 (premiers), 2011 (runners up), 2012 (premiers). This game was broadcast live in East New Britain on local FM radio NBC ENB.
Pre-season Trial 3 Saturday 2 March 2013 18:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Interchange: 14. Brian Murgha, 15. Kyle Feldt*, 16. Aidan Smith, 17. Ben Spina, 18. Alex Starmer, 19. Ricky Thorby*, 20. Davin Crampton.
* = Cowboys allocation
Unavailable: Noel Underwood (knee), Jason Roos (knee)
Mackay Cutters: 1. Liam Taylor, 2. Michael Comerford, 3. Curtis Rona, 4. Michael Koko, 5. Tyson Muscat, 6. Dave Petersen, 7. Delane Edwards, 8. Sam Hoare, 9. Andy Gay, 10. Joel Clinton, 11. Tyson Martin, 12. Jake Cooley, 13. Matt Constantinou.
Interchange: 14. David Milne, 15. Merv Williamson, 16. Sam Miles, 17. Tyson Andrews, 18. Jason Schirnack, 19. Karl Davies, 20. Chris Gesch, 21. Dean Webster, 22. Pulou Vaittuutuu.
Note: Several Pride players played in the CDRL competition on 9–10 March. Justin Castellaro (Brothers), Steve Snitch (Edmonton), Jordan Biondi-Odo (Innisfail), Jordan Tighe and Mervyn Walker (Mareeba), Rickki Sutherland and Brent Oosen (Suburbs), Aidan Smith (Mossman), Noel Underwood (Yarrabah).
Unavailable: Noel Underwood (knee), Jason Roos (knee).
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Ben Henaway, 2. Dallas Anderson, 3. Nick Doyle, 4. David Faamita, 5. Luke Archer, 6. Phil Dennis (c), 7. Rhys Jacks, 8. Matt Pitman, 9. Ben Cronin, 10. Andrew Edwards, 11. Chris Faust, 12. Tulson Caird, 13. Rez Phillips.
Interchange: 14. Ben Thorburn, 15. Darcy Wright, 16. Sam Gardel, 17. Zac Lemburg.
Tweed Heads Seagulls: 1. Shaun Carney, 2. Ali Hijazi, 3. James Wood (c), 4. Brad Lees, 5. Tom Merritt, 6. Chris Binge, 7. Beau Henry, 8. Aaron Cannings, 9. Matt King (c), 10. Jake Leary, 11. Mark Minichiello, 12. Tom Kingston, 13. Cory Blair.
Interchange: 14. Marmin Barba, 15. Tim Maccan, 16. Ayden Lee, 17. Kingi Akauola, 18. Sam Ross.
Coach: Aaron Zimmerle.
Note: This was Ryan Ghietti's 50th Queensland Cup game, having played for Redcliffe Dolphins and the Pride. On the Friday afternoon before the game, the Pride ran family activities at Callendar Park, and then had the Captain's Run, followed by a special 'Evening With The Pride' footy function at Innisfail Brothers Leagues Club, with special guests former NRL stars Aaron Payne and Shaun Timmins. Tickets were $30. This was the Pride debut for North Queensland Cowboys allocation player Scott Moore* (Pride Player 091).
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. Jeriah Goodrich, 2. Peter Gubb, 3. Matt Grieve, 4. Jason Moon, 5. Nathanael Barnes, 6. Nathan Norford, 7. Matt Seamark, 8. Ben Shea, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Tim Natusch, 11. Tanu Wulf, 12. John Te Reo, 13. Luke Dalziel-Don (c).
Interchange: 14. Matt Zgrajewski, 15. Brett Zgrajewski, 16. Adam Marr, 17. Grant Giess.
Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen.
Note: Broadcast live on Channel 9 with Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler and Adrian Vowles as the commentary team. This was the Pride debut for Nick Dorante (Pride Player 094).
Interchange: 14. Jacob Ling, 15. Rod Griffin, 16. Slade King, 17. Michael Fisher, Jarrod McInally.
Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker.
Note: This match was the top of the table QRL clash between the Pride (1st) and the Jets (2nd). It was played as the opener to the NRL Round 14 match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Gold Coast Titans, which the Rabbitohs won 30 – 24.
Central Queensland Capras: 1. Cameron Munster, 2. Anthony Flores, 3. Russell Webber, 4. Josh Benjamin, 5. Marco Delapena, 6. Brent Crisp, 7. Dean Blackman, 8. John Clayton, 9. Ian Webster, 10. Alan Rothery, 11. Simon Gregory, 12. Brent Williams, 13. Gavin Hiscox (c).
Interchange: 14. Darcy Etrich, 15. Sam Pierce, 16. Mick Esdale, 17. Guy Williams.
Interchange: 14. Ryan Ghietti, 15. Aidan Smith, 16. Davin Crampton, 17. Felise Kaufusi*. 18 Brent Oosen. (One player to be omitted).
* = Cowboys allocation
Unavailable: Alex Starmer (ribs).
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Ben Falcone, 2. Ramon Filipine, 3. Nick Doyle, 4. Josh Damen, 5. Luke Archer, 6. Ben Cronin, 7. Rhys Jacks, 8. Mat Pitman, 9. Travis Waddell, 10. Andrew Edwards, 11. Chris Faust, 12. Tulson Caird, 13. Phil Dennis (c).
Interchange: 14. Ben Thorburn, 15. Rez Phillips, 16. Sam Gardel, 17. Zac Lemburg.
Note: Broadcast live on Channel 9 with Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler and Adrian Vowles as the commentary team. This was Brett Anderson's 100th game in the QRL. This Round 22 win secured the minor-premiership for the Northern Pride with 36 points at the top of the table. This was the Pride debut for Jordan Biondi-Odo (Pride Player 095).
Wynnum-Manly Seagulls: 1. Corey Norman, 2. Peter Gubb, 3. Matt Grieve, 4. Jason Moon, 5. Nathanael Barnes, 6. Jacob Fauid, 7. Matt Seamark, 8. Ben Shea, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Tim Natusch, 11. Tanu Wulf, 12. John Te Reo, 13. Luke Dalziel-Don (c).
Interchange: 14. Junior Togia, 15. Andrew Clayton, 16. Saia Makisi, 17. Graham Clark.
Coach: Jon Buchanan.
Note: If the Pride had conceded 14 points or less, it would have been a new ISC record for the best defense in a season. However, the Pride conceded 26 points and the record remained with the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Interchange: 14. Adam Marr, 15. Liufau Hala, 16. Isaac Kaufmann, 17. Grant Giess.
Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen.
Note: This was Ty Williams last home game after he announced his retirement at the end of the 2013 season.[27] Broadcast live on Channel 9 with Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler and Adrian Vowles as the commentary team.
In August 2012 as part of the historic $1 billion five-year broadcasting agreement with Nine and Fox Sports, the Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed that Intrust Super Cup matches would continue to be televised by Channel 9 until 2018. One match a week will be shown live across Queensland at 2.00pm (AEST) on Sunday afternoons on Channel 9, WIN Television (RTQ), in remote areas on Imparja Television and in Papua New Guinea on Kundu 2 TV. The 2013 commentary team was Peter Psaltis, Paul Green, Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler and Adrian Vowles.
In 2013 the Pride appeared in eight televised games:
In 2013, all matches (including pre-season trials but excluding matches broadcast live by Channel Nine) were streamed live through the Pride website, with access granted exclusively to Pride members.[28] Video production was by Studio Productions and the commentary team was WIN TV's Adam Jackson and Pride U-18s coach, Cameron 'Spilla' Miller.
References
^"New Northern role for Maiden". QRL Media. Brisbane. 14 January 2013.