Norths will unveil the club’s State of Origin squad members for the first time tomorrow night when the Devils’ women’s BMD Premiership team completes its trial matches with an away clash with Souths Logan Magpies.
Ali Brigginshaw, Jada Ferguson, Shenae Ciesiolka and Fiona Jahnke will step out for the Devils after missing last week’s trial win due to a pre-season State of Origin camp.
Tomorrow night, the Devils’ men’s Hostplus Cup premiers will play their last trial match with key players all stepping out against Sunshine Coast Falcons at Kawana.
Captain Jack Ahearn, NRL Indigenous All-Stars hooker Kierran Moseley and new signing James Johnson will play their first trial matches for the Devils after missing last Sunday’s win over the Dolphins at Redcliffe.
Devils BMD premiership coach Zac Wallwork said his team would focus on the combinations that continued to develop in last Saturday night’s solid trial win over Brisbane Tigers.
The clash with Souths Logan will be the Devils’ last outing before their historic BMD Premiership opener against Burleigh Bears at Bishop Park on March 11.
“It’s really a chance for us to build our combinations and to continue doing the things we’ve been working on all pre-season,” Wallwork said.
“Getting game time as a team is important to us and we want to work through our sets and prepare for the Burleigh game.
“Souths Logan will be a good test for us tomorrow night so we’re looking forward to the game.”
The Magpies are expected to include the likes of Origin squad members Brittany Breayley-Nati and Evania Pelite in a strong team that will provide a benchmark of the Devils’ progress before the club’s first match in a women’s statewide competition.
On the Sunshine Coast, the Devils’ Hostplus Cup squad will again wind up their pre-season with a clash with the Falcons.
It’s been the same way in recent years as the Devils have met the Falcons at Kawana and Noosa before the start of the season.
Ahearn has rejoined the Devils after spending all summer training with the Brisbane Broncos, leading to an 80-minute performance a trial match against the North Queensland Cowboys.
He was joined at the Broncos by James Johnson, who has moved to the Devils from Newcastle.
Moseley headed to New Zealand to play for the NRL Indigenous All-Stars before returning to a Devils team that has made steady progress in the pre-season under new coach Dave Elliott.
The Devils’ Hastings Deering Colts team will play their first trial match of the season against the Falcons as a curtain-raiser to the Hostplus Cup match.
The Devils’ junior representative teams will play their second matches of the season tomorrow.
The Cyril Connell Challenge Under 16, Mal Meninga Cup Under 18 and Harvey Norman girls’ Under 19 teams will meet Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval tomorrow.
