Devils celebrate another premiership

Norths Devils have claimed the club’s 16th first grade premiership, extending a new era of success for the 91-year-old club.

It had been 58 years since the Devils had won three premierships in four years until Sunday night’s 34-20 Hostplus Cup grand final triumph over Redcliffe Dolphins at Kayo Stadium.

The Devils were never headed in the decider, extending their run of consecutive finals wins to an astonishing nine matches – a record in the Queensland Cup era and a record for the Devils.

Even during Norths’ historic run of six consecutive premierships from 1959 to 1964, the Devils did not achieve more than eight straight finals wins.

The club has done it under three different coaching combinations, moving to Dave Elliott for a 2024 season that built momentum from April, pushing the Devils into second place on the table.

The September specialists then disposed of Redcliffe in the qualifying final and PNG Hunters in the preliminary final before the decider in front of more than 7000 fans.

The season isn’t over – the Devils’ win moves them into the NRL State Championship showdown with the NSW Cup champions as a curtain-raiser to the NRL grand final on Sunday week. The Devils will meet North Sydney Bears or Newtown Jets.

Captain Kierran Moseley led the Devils superbly across the year, joining halfback Jack Ahearn and centre Jacob Gagan as the only survivors from the 2022 grand final. They were joined by 11 players in the decider in their first season for Norths.

“I’m pretty lost for words with what the club has been able to achieve in such a short time,” Moseley said.

“We’re a part of it now and trying to do the best we can. To beat Redcliffe here is a big achievement for the club.

“This whole year has been about trying to bring the younger lads through. We had a big change of players and a lot of our players are aged 21, 22, 23. And the players who came to us from the (NRL) Dolphins have been enormous for us this year.
“It’s a long year with ups and downs and to win it at the end is something we can be proud of. I’m really happy for everyone and the club.”

The Devils started the grand final as favourites but facing Redcliffe on home soil was always going to be a battle.

The national television audience through Fox Sports saw a stirring match, featuring powerful hits, flowing attack and desperate defence at key moments.

The Devils stole the early break through Duncan Hall Medallist Tesi Niu, who was outstanding at left centre.

Niu and his winger Blake Paskins combined for the opening try in the 11th minute after the Devils had weathered an early onslaught.

Niu stepped around his opponent and found Paskins, who sprinted down the sideline before returning the pass to Niu in a 65-metre blast that gave voice to the Devils’ fans.

The left edge was at it again six minutes later when the Devils shifted the ball on the fourth tackle for Niu to power over. Jordan Lipp’s conversion pushed Norths to a 12-point lead.

But the Dolphins weren’t going away. They were excellent against minor premiers Northern Pride eight days earlier and they kept fighting.

Two tries from Devils mistakes pushed them within eight points of the Devils at halftime, kept at arm’s length by a 28th minute try to Lipp from a superb Jeremiah Simbiken pass.

The Dolphins edged within four points with 20 minutes to go before Norths brought the hammer down.

A Redcliffe mistake from the re-start gave the Devils immediate field position that led to a scrum set move and Manase Kaho’s club record-equalling 21st try for the season.

The game was sealed in the 70th minute when prop Tuki Simpkins charged through the middle of the field, sending a brilliant pass to Campbell Duffy for a try that brought Devils fans to their feet.

This was the first Cup premiership for most of the Devils.

Simbiken and his forward partner Sam Elliott had played for the Dolphins in their 2022 grand final loss to Norths.

They were excellent on Sunday night and joined the likes of Lipp, Paskins, Jack Wright Cooper Jenkins, Simpkins, Julian Christian and Duffy as premiers in their first year at Bishop Park.

Christian won his grand final in his 100th Cup match.

George Fai, Sam Elliott and Kaho were in their second seasons with the club.

James Flack, as 18th man, has been with the Devils over several seasons, showing his resilience after early injury setbacks.

And the Devils were so well served by their four Dolphins NRL players – Niu, Simbiken and backrow weapons Oryn Keeley and Mason Teague were magnificent across the season.

Moseley praised their contributions and their professionalism.

Coach Elliott celebrated his first Cup premiership in his second season with Norths, directing a turnaround from last year’s 11th placing as the Devils rebalanced after the successes of 2021 and 2022.

Elliott was supported by a coaching and strength and conditioning and medical staff who helped to keep the Devils firing long into a season that ultimately delivered on its promise.

Elliott will have the Devils back at training this weekend as they prepare to take the national stage on NRL grand final day.

NORTHS DEVILS 34 (Tesi Niu 2, Blake Paskins, Jordan Lipp, Manase Kaho, Campbell Duffy tries, Lipp 5 goals) bt REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 20 (Thomas Casey, William Dobson, Josh Kerr, James Walsh tries, Latrell Siegwalt 2 goals) at Kayo Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

SHARE

RELATED ARTICLES

Uncategorized
Norths Devils Colts defeat Sunshine Coast ahead of finals
Hostplus Cup
Keid In Electrical power the Devils in 2021
Hostplus Cup
Greatest Devil Poll – Bracket 1 Final
Hostplus Cup
Family and footy perfect mix for Pulu

SIGN UP FOR THE

DEVILS MAIL

Join the Devils online community and get all the latest news, updates and videos, straight to your inbox.


PRINCIPAL PARTNER

HigginsServices_logo_CMYK-REVERSE-on-BLUE

MAJOR PARTNERS

Altus
Hi Flow

PREMIER PARTNERS

Stihl
Harcourts
Sci Fleet Toyota
Robert Bax
Ironforge
Dolphins
Norths Nundah
Norths Kallangur

Norths Devils RLFC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the region we serve: The Turrbal people. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today and those of tomorrow.

Artwork by Elaine Chambers