Norths coach Dave Elliott urged his players to remember the silence of their dressing room last weekend as they prepare for this Sunday’s Hostplus Cup showdown with Redcliffe Dolphins at Bishop Park.
The Devils were not headed against PNG Hunters last Sunday until after the siren when a conversion from near the sideline sealed a 20-18 win for the visitors.
It was the Devils’ first loss at home this season and ended the seven-game winning streak that had propelled Elliott’s team into first place.
The Devils’ change room was as quiet as any Norths’ room in recent years as the players reflected on a match that got away from them with one minute remaining through a stunning Hunters try.
The Devils were moved back to second place on the ladder while the Dolphins climbed to third place with their clinical win over reigning premiers Brisbane Tigers.
That puts the Devils and Dolphins in line for one of the most anticipated clashes in the club’s 65-season rivalry on Sunday afternoon.
In recent years the clubs have played some epic matches, none better than the Devils’ 16-10 grand final triumph at Kayo Stadium in 2022.
The teams are now affiliates to the NRL Dolphins but the rivalry remains as strong as ever and will feature NRL squad members in both jerseys.
“We’re really looking forward to this weekend which gives us a chance to finish off a block of games before a competition bye,” Elliott said.
“We had been working our way through that block well but we came up against a Hunters team that never stopped trying. They deserve full credit for their performance.
“We have reflected on that and we understand that we have to expect teams will come at us every week.
“Our players have really worked hard this year and played very well as a squad which has helped us all season.”
The Hunters’ late try resulted in only the third time that the Devils had conceded 20 points or more in a game this season.
Their 10-4 win-loss record will now go against a Dolphins team that has made steady progress up the ladder in recent weeks.
The Devils will welcome back halfback Jack Ahearn.
He missed last weekend’s clash which allowed Norths junior representative fullback Declan Haydon to make a deserved debut as Devil No.1360.
The Devils opened the scoring in the first few minutes when captain Kierran Moseley’s perfect dummy-half pass found lock Mason Teague running another quality line.
The Devils made too many errors to kick clear of the Hunters who scored on halftime to draw level 10-all.
The home team seemed set to win their eighth-straight game when Andre Niko scored with five minutes remaining but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Hunters’ final fling.
PNG HUNTERS 20 (Alex Max, Finley Glare, Clent Lama, Brandon Nima tries, Jamie Mavoko 2 goals) bt NORTHS DEVILS 18 (Mason Teague, Manase Kaho, George Fai, Andre Niko tries, Niko goal) at Bishop Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
