Norths are building their defensive resolve into the Hostplus Cup season while aiming to improve the handling woes that sentenced the Devils to a frustrating loss at Redcliffe last Sunday.
The Dolphins won a gripping Round 2 clash 16-12 at Kayo Stadium after dominating possession in a game tested by rain through most of the first half.
The Dolphins made the most of the conditions while the Devils battled turnovers which reduced their completion rate in the first half to 48 per cent before finishing the match with 58 per cent of finished sets.
But the Devils supporters who braved the rain could take a lot of heart from their team’s defensive workload.
The Devils were forced to complete a staggering 326 tackles across the game and their line broke only for three tries on the fifth tackle including two from kicks.
“We know we need to be better because this is such a tough competition that you can’t afford to give away possession, especially against a team with the quality of Redcliffe” Devils coach Dave Elliott said.
“But we know that we had that defensive commitment on Sunday and we want to continue to build that.
“We’ll get another good test this Saturday night against Souths Logan because we know how dangerous they can be.”
The Devils have endured two tests to start the season, conceding only 12 points against last year’s minor premiers Burleigh on the road before the 16 points against Redcliffe.
That ties the Devils with the competition’s best defensive record after two rounds but their home opener against the Magpies on Saturday night will provide another challenge.
Souths Logan had the third-best attacking record last season on their way to second place on the ladder before the finals.
This will be the Devils’ final match before an Easter bye is followed by a trip to Kougari Oval to play Wynnum-Manly.
Norths and Redcliffe have built a record of absorbing matches in recent years including the Devils’ 16-10 grand final win in 2022 and last year’s 23-22 triumph at Kayo Stadium.
The Devils started well again last weekend when winger Manase Kaho finished a slick backline movement, speeding around Dolphins NRL centre Val Te Whare for a try in the sixth minute.
The Dolphins struck with tries in the 21st and 27th minutes from kicks to take a lead at halftime.
Tesi Niu, playing his first game for Norths, crossed in the 55th minute when Gerome Burns’ kick was contested by Devils winger Jordan Lipp, bouncing to Niu for a try.
But a try to Aublix Tawha in the 65th minute gave the Dolphins a lead that the Devils didn’t peg back.
The Devils still had a chance to win the game in the final minutes when powerful prop Eddie Blacker charged on to the ball in front of Redcliffe’s posts, only to be denied by centimetres through a desperate tackle.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 16 (Caleb Jackson, Brenton Baira, Aublix Tawha tries, Baira 2 goals)
NORTHS DEVILS 12 (Manase Kaho, Tesi Niu tries, Gerome Burns 2 goals) at Kayo Stadium.
