A new-look Norths will take the first steps for 2024 when a host of experienced players pull on a Devils jersey for the first time in a Hostplus Cup trial match against Burleigh Bears at Bishop Park tonight.
Gates will open at 3:30pm for a BMD Premiership match at 4:15pm, followed by the Hostplus Cup at 6:00pm.
Familiar names from across the competition will turn out for the Devils in a pre-season double-header against the Bears featuring the BMD Premiership team.
The Devils BMD Premiership team under coach Meg Ward began its trial matches on a solid note last weekend with a 20-8 win over Wynnum Manly.
The Hostplus Cup squad starts the first of three trial matches tomorrow minus some players chosen for the opening Dolphins NRL pre-season match against the Capras in Rockhampton.
Devils coach Dave Elliott will also rest some of his experienced players including the likes of Eddie Blacker, Sam Elliott, Kierran Moseley, Jayden Stephens, George Fai and Zach Brooks.
In a sign of the change at Norths in the off-season, only one player from the 17 Devils who last met Burleigh in a match will play tomorrow night.
Utility forward Zac McMinn will be among a trial team that also features 2023 Devils Jacob Gagan, Justin Makirere, Will Toloi, James Flack, Hayden Rowbotham, Zak McGuire, Declan Haydon and Kye Jenkins.
Alongside them will be 2024 recruits Julian Christian (Northern Pride), Jack Wright, Campbell Duffy and Wyatt Reynolds (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Blake Paskins (Mackay Cutters), Luke Pietzner (Newcastle), Justin Fai (Souths Logan) and Jack “Nugget” Johnson (Townsville Blackhawks).
“There is some experience in our team for this game because it gives us a chance to develop combinations with our new players which is a bit different to last year,” Elliott said.
“We’ve also had some impressive train-and-trial players from the pre-season who will get their chance tomorrow night as well.
“We’ve been impressed with the effort across the pre-season.
“The players from our affiliate clubs Wests and Valleys have worked hard and this trial is a good opportunity and a reward for all of those players.”
Devils 2023 Colts captain Harry Walters and back Reece Briers have been named for the trial alongside a familiar name for Norths fans. Talented back and Devils 2021 Colts Player of the Year Lodoviko Cokanauto is back at Bishop Park after a stint with the Melbourne Storm.
Burleigh is expected to field a strong team for the first quarter of the trial despite some of their players stepping out for their NRL affiliate Broncos in a pre-season match this weekend.
The Devils have contracted players Gerome Burns, Cooper Jenkins and Manase Kaho playing for the NRL Dolphins tomorrow night while Jordan Lipp and Tuki Simpkins recover from minor setbacks that are not expected to keep them out of the HPC season-opener.
The Devils and Burleigh will meet again in four weeks in the opening Hostplus Cup match of the season at Pizzey Park.
There are no trial matches this weekend for the Devils’ Under 17 and Under 19 teams ahead of their opening competition match next weekend.
