Norths returned from a valuable pre-season trip to Dalby today with a win over the Western Clydesdales and the confidence that a hard summer was preparing them well for the Hostplus Cup season.
The 38-16 win over the new-look Clydesdales featured seven tries shared among 28 players as coach Rohan Smith used his extended squad.
Off-season recruits Tom Rafter, Jordan Blundell and Keanu Dawson wore Norths jerseys for the first time while former Devils Connor Broadhurst, Declan Haydon, Jack Miers, Kalolo Saitaua and Tuaaalo Vaipulu returned.
Premiership Devils Tony Tumusa, Ben Nakubuwai and Jerome Veve also featured along with 2025 grand final forward Brody Tamarua and Lachlan Lewis.
The likes of Kierran Moseley, Jack Ahearn, Jacob Gagan, Matthew Milson, James Flack, Lauloto Salei, Tyreece Tait and George Fai did not play yesterday.
Smith will use some of those players on Saturday when the Devils play their final pre-season match against Sunshine Coast Falcons at Bishop Park.
“Yesterday was a good, solid hitout in Dalby,” Smith said.
“I was impressed with our squad and guys who have worked really hard in the off-season. They showed us what they can do.
“We were looking for a good conditioning hit-out and we got that.”
Both teams handled very well at times despite the rain that fell throughout the match at the home of the Dalby Diehards.
The Devils crossed early through Malachi Morgan before the strong Dalby crowd cheered in the eighth minute when outside back Blayden Dodd finished off a try in the left corner featuring five passes for a 10-0 lead.
The restart featured the unpredictable play that new Clydesdales coaches Ben and Shane Walker became known for during their premiership stint at Ipswich Jets.
The Clydesdales sprinted through to regain a floating kick, setting up an attacking period that yielded two tries in four minutes for the Toowoomba-based team.
Dodd crossed again in the 21st minute through a shortside move that included Broadhurst’s cutout pass for the corner.
The match was played in 30-minute thirds, with the Clydesdales swapping teams after 45 minutes to provide more exposure for their extended squad.
The Devils showed their usual attacking style under Smith including a try in the second third that was among the best of the match, featuring a determined offload, flick pass and quick hands for Nakubuwai to finish.
Rafter crossed in his first game for the Devils, running through to touch down a deft kick from Miers in the final third.
“It was a good test because we had to adapt to the Clydesdales’ style of play which meant we had to cover some ground to fill the space there,” Smith said. “It was a really good trip. The hospitality at Dalby was fantastic. There was a great crowd. It was a good hit-out all-round.
“Next week, a few more players who weren’t available in Dalby will get a game. We’ll try a few different combinations and get ourselves ready for the first month or six weeks of the season.
“We’ll play an extended squad again and cover some contingencies for the season ahead.”
Photo by Alan Drinnen
