A bunch of new Devils will wear the Norths jersey for the first time today in a rare Hostplus Cup pre-season match in Dalby.

The Devils will take on the Western Clydesdales, who will play for the first time under new coaches Ben and Shane Walker.

This will be the first of two pre-season matches for the Devils, who return home on Saturday week to meet Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Norths coach Rohan Smith will have 28 players ready for a game that will be played in 30-minute thirds in unknown conditions due to the prediction of rain.

Smith’s squad will include the likes of recruits Thomas Rafter and Jordan Blundell while half Brandon Finnegan will feature after bad luck with injury prevented him from wearing a Devils jersey last season.
Full Devils squad members Blayden Dodd and Nathan Brown will line up alongside Connor Broadhurst (pictured), Declan Haydon and Kololo Saitaua who are reigniting their Norths careers.

Smith had a first look at some of his extended squad during a competitive trial between Wests and Valleys last Friday night.

“This will be a good trip away and a good opportunity to grow the squad and to build depth,” Smith said.

“It’s been a good, tough pre-season and now we can take that next step.”
The Devils will be without some players who have represented the NRL Dolphins team in trials in recent days including Matthew Milson, Lauloto Salei and Tyreece Tait.

Norths open their Hostplus Cup season at home on Saturday 7 March against Mackay Cutters.

The clash with the Clydesdales in Dalby will be a good test for the Devils, watching to see what the Walker brothers bring to the Toowoomba-based team.

The Walkers were praised for their brand of football that delivered a famous premiership to Ipswich in 2015 during a long stint in charge of the Jets.

“It’s always good to play against other teams and to adapt to whatever comes our way,” Smith said.

“This will be a good trip and we look forward to taking what we’ve practised in pre-season into a game.”

Caption: Connor Broadhurst returns to the Devils for today’s pre-season trial in Dalby.