Our Round 3 team lists to take on the Souths Logan Magpies this Sunday 24 March at Davies Park.

Intrust Super Cup

Hastings Deering Colts

1. Dylan Quinn
2. Fruean Easthope
3. Jared Chambers
4. Jack Paterson
5. Michael McGrath
6. Zak McGuire
7. Dylan Tavita
8. Miller Leilua
9. Ethan Le Blanc
10. Owen McCarron (c)
11. Reed Young
12. Lachlan Lewis
13. Matthew Fletcher
14. Connor Murray
15. Albert Liki
16. Micah Marsh
17. Tevita Ofahengaue
18. Nathan Campbell
19. Blaid Pakura

Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup

1. Leighton Milburn
2. Martin Pascoe
3. Jayden Hunt
4. Izaac Onn
5. Ethan Olsen
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Joshua James (c)
8. Tomasi Filipine
9. Danny Heenan
10. Harrison Ritter
11. Sagi Timu
12. Kye Jenkins
13. Jeff Leilua
14. Pemulwuy Yanner
15. Poasi Manu
16. Nicholas Fenton
17. Joshua Allen
18. Brocco uhrle
19. Lachlan Tenison-Woods
20. Lodoviko Cokanauto
21. Migaeo Leituala

A stormy night at Bishop Park served up another constant in the rivalrly between Norths and Easts – the away team always wins.

The Tigers raced in five tries in 21 minutes to topple the Devils 30-12, making the most of their opportunities while the Devils rued their errors on a slippery night for football.

The away team has won 10 of the last 11 games between the teams. The other game ended in a draw. The Devils did it early last year, finishing fast to beat the Tigers at Langlands Park.

They finished fast again tonight – holding the Tigers scoreless for the last 34 minutes but the damage had already been done in the round two clash.

Tries in the 25^th, 27^th, 32^nd, 42^nd and 46^th minutes rushed the Tigers to a 30-6 lead which the Devils found too difficult to reel in.

Minor ankle injuries to halves Sean O’Sullivan and Troy Dargan, ending their night early, didn’t help the Devils but they still showed the spark that helped them to topple premiership favourites Burleigh in last week’s first round.

A flowing movement down the right side in the 61^st minute featured short passes between centre Gehamat Shibasaki, lock Brandon Lee and winger Paul Ulberg.

Each of those players handled twice in the movement which led to Shibasaki’s first try for the year – and the Devils’ 2500^th try in Cup football.

Earlier in the night, backrower Brendan Frei scored his first Intrust Super Cup try, crossing for the Devils in the fourth minute to take a 6-0 lead.

But the Tigers, stocked with their Melbourne Storm players, wrestled momentum back from the Devils featuring Aaron Booth’s try in the 15^th minute, cashing in on a 40-20 kick and a penalty.

The Devils head to Davies Park next Sunday to meet Souths Logan.

Earlier today, the Devils celebrated wins in the Mal Meninga Cup Under 18 and Hastings Deering Colts Under 20 clashes. Both teams drew last week but proved too strong for the Tigers.

Intrust Super Cup veteran Guy Williams notched his first win as a coach when his Under 18 squad eased past the Tigers 34-22.

The Colts clash was was tense but the Devils, featuring members of the squad that won last year’s premiership, finished too well for a fading Tigers team. The 22-18 win included a 66th minute try from centre Jack Paterson which propelled the Devils to the lead after they had trailed for almost all of the second half.

Easts Tigers 30 (Sam Lavea 2, Aaron Booth, Albert Vete, Billy Walters tries, Sam Foster 3, Booth 2 goals) d Norths Devils 12 (Brendan Frei, Gehamat Shibasaki tries, Herbie Farnworth 2 goals) at Bishop Park

 

 

 

 

Our Round 2 teams to take on the Easts Tigers this Saturday at Bishop Park.

Continue reading “Round 2 Team Lists” →

The Devils made the most of a Bishop Park pickpocket to start their Intrust Super Cup season on a high note with victory over highly-rated Burleigh Bears today.

The game was on a knife’s edge after Burleigh scored twice in three minutes, edging within four points of the Devils with four minutes remaining.

From the restart, Burleigh’s Luke Page charged into the Norths defence but Devils centre Luke Pollock stole the ball from the prop. A few plays later, Devils winger Herbie Farnworth kicked a penalty goal that became the final act in a 28-22 Norths win.

The game included a few flashes of individual brilliance but they were underpinned by the playing style that coach Rohan Smith has developed into his second season at the club.

That style was best shown in the 35^th minute when emerging prop Ethan Bullemor picked a stray Burleigh pass from his bootlaces on the Devils line, charging 40 metres downfield. The ball then spread to the right touchline and then back to the left where PNG international Nixon Putt scored his first try.

Putt was one of four Devils on debut today, showing a strong Bishop Park crowd that there is potential among their players to again test every team.

The Bears have had trouble with Norths in recent times. They lost twice to the Devils last season on their way to the minor premiership. But they clawed back from a 26-6 deficit today following Farnworth’s second try.

The Devils face a second tough test next weekend when the Easts Tigers, likely to include several Melbourne Storm squad members, make their way to Bishop Park.

“That was a pleasing way to start because we continued to play our game even when we got to a lead,” Devils coach Rohan Smith said.

“Today was a step towards becoming a team with the inclusion of some new players and some young Broncos players. Burleigh are a strong team and will have another good season.”

The Devils were unlucky not to open the scoring in the 13^th minute when Farnworth crossed in the left corner, plucking a kick from his fellow Broncos squad member Troy Dargan.

The referee ruled that Farnworth had obstructed his Burleigh opponent in a very close call.

There were no problems four minutes later when Farnworth gathered in a kick from Devils hooker Michael Sio.

The superb team try in the 35^th minute was followed by another enterprising play as the halftime siren sounded. Zach Strasser’s kick found the outstretched finger of Bullemor, who scored his first Intrust Super Cup try.

The 16-6 halftime margin increased six minutes into the second half when winger Paul Ulberg scored his first try of the season.

Earlier today, the Hastings Deering Colts and Mal Meninga Cup matches finished in draws. Both were levelled by Burleigh penalty goals in the final two minutes.

The Colts, playing their first match since their premiership win, drew 24-all after the Under 18s finished 38-all.

The Devils observed a moment’s silence before the game in memory of former player John Payne, who passed away recently.

Norths has a history of bringing players from all parts of the rugby league world to Bishop Park for life as a Devil.

But the journey from Papua New Guinea’s western highlands to Nundah is rarely travelled.

Nixon Putt, 23, has done that in the off-season, leaving the PNG Hunters after two impressive seasons to try his hand with coach Rohan Smith’s Norths squad.

And the ironman backrower has made an impressive start to his Devils career.

Putt has been a popular addition to Bishop Park, earning his Devils debut in tomorrow’s season-opener against Burleigh Heads at Bishop Park.

Putt will start in the backrow, ready for his 47^th Intrust Super Cup appearance after building a remarkable statistic at the Hunters.

Since he made his ISC debut in round 1, 2017, Putt hasn’t missed a minute of any game he’s played. He’s an 80-minute warrior who laps up his work and looks for more.

Putt runs arrow-straight in attack and defends with a style that has become known to his opponents. Google Putt’s name and you’ll quickly find a bone-rattling hit he put on Jarryd Hayne in an international match last year.

But Putt plays down any personal praise.

He’s noticed the differences between life in his homeland and Australia during his first few months in the country and feels welcome at his new club.

“There is a very welcoming spirit here,” Putt said. “I’m very happy to be a part of this Norths team and they already feel like a family to me.

Coach Smith initiated contact with Putt after watching his career at the Hunters, which included the memorable 2017 grand final victory.

His resume also include his appearances for the Kumuls and the Prime Minister’s XIII last October against the Australian PM’s XIII.

Smith said Putt had impressed the Devils squad during the pre-season.

“He’s hard-working and he’s shown he’s durable during his quality seasons at the Hunters,” Smith said.

“He’s made the decision to step out of his comfort zone and to move to a new country with new teammates. He’s doing that well and now he’s looking to grow and to expand his game.”

 

 

 

 

Jack Ahearn has joined one of the most prestigious lists in Brisbane’s rugby league history – but he’s not the type to bask in its spotlight.

Ahearn has been appointed Norths Devils captain for 2019. The list of previous Devils captains is impressive – Clive Churchill, Cameron Smith, Mark Murray, Bill Pearson, Kevin Carmichael and Jack Reardon are among the men who have led Norths over the club’s strong history.

But Ahearn is relatively shy about his addition to this list.

Like another fullback a few suburbs away at the Brisbane Broncos in Darius Boyd, Ahearn prefers to lead with actions more than with words.

“It’s an honour to be captain but this is certainly not about me – it’s about being part of the team and I’m really looking forward to playing with this squad this season,” Ahearn said.

“This is my second year at Norths and coming here has really helped to grow my interest in rugby league. It’s a club that really improves its players.”

Ahearn was the Devils’ best in 2018 – winning the club’s player of the year award for a consistent season in which he played in every match.

Away from the field, Ahearn is passionate about his youth work and chaplaincy. He is the Chaplain at Clontarf Beach State High School

“It’s a role I love doing and it’s a privilege to journey with young people, assist them and be able to give spiritual encouragement as they face hurdles,” Ahearn said.

“Faith has really helped me grow as a person. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for in my life, particularly my parents, my wife Brianna and also rugby league.

“The coaching staff at Norths have been so supportive and insightful in helping me develop my leadership skills.”

Ahearn takes over the captaincy from John Palavi, who left Norths over the summer for a contract with the Gold Coast Titans.

Coach Rohan Smith said Ahearn emerged as the obvious choice for captain as the pre-season unfolded.

“Jack is a natural leader and he’s been a key part in bringing together the squad over the off-season as we welcomed some new players to our club,” Smith said.

The Norths Devils hosted their 2019 season launch on Friday night in the newly renovated Leagues Club in Nundah. Almost 200 guests enjoyed the night as the 2019 team was revealed and new CEO Troy Rovelli spoke on what is ahead for the club.

Norths players, staff, and sponsors gathered to take a look at the year ahead in the beautiful new function area of Norths Devils Leagues Club.

  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Blue Carpet photos from our season launch 🎉
 
A post shared by  Norths Devils RLFC (@northsdevilsrlfc) on Mar 4, 2019 at 2:39pm PST
 

  
 
 
 
 
 
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 A few more of our stars from Friday's Season Launch! Only 5 days now until we kickoff the season at home against Burleigh! 🎉
 
A post shared by  Norths Devils RLFC (@northsdevilsrlfc) on Mar 4, 2019 at 5:06pm PST
 

  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Great night at our season launch at the newly renovated leagues club! Thanks to all for attending! Let's go Devils for 2019 💪
 
A post shared by  Norths Devils RLFC (@northsdevilsrlfc) on Mar 1, 2019 at 4:00am PST
 

Intrust Super Cup – Round 1 Team

Hastings Deering Colts – Round 1 Team

1. Dylan Quinn
2. Fruean Easthope
3. Jared Chambers
4. Jack Paterson
5. Michael McGrath
6. Zak McGuire
7. Dylan Tavita
8. Miller Leilua
9. Kobe Hetherington (c)
10. Jake Strasser (c)
11. Reed Young
12. Jordan Riki
13. Sosefo Filipine
14. Ethan LeBlanc
15. Lachlan Lewis
16. Owen McCarron
17. Tevita Ofahengaue
18. Albert Liki
19. Connor Murray
20. Matthew Fletcher
21. Jaden Martin

Mal Meninga Cup – Round 1 Team

1. Leighton Milburn
2. Lodoviko Cokanauto
3. Izaac Onn
4. Jayden Hunt
5. Lachlan Tenison-Woods
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Joshua James (c)
8. Tomasi Filipine
9. Danny Hennan
10. Harrison Ritter
11. Brocco Uhrle
12. Kye Jenkins
13. Sagi Timu
14. Pemulwuy Yanner
15. Poasi Manu
16. Jeff Leilua
17. Adam Mitchell
18. Migao Leituala
19. Nicholas Fenton
20. Ethan Olsen

Two Brisbane Broncos players are in line to make their Norths debuts this season following the confirmation of the 2019 affiliate player allocation.

New Broncos half signing Sean O’Sullivan and English forward Andre Savelio are set to turn out for Norths in the Intrust Super Cup when not required for the Broncos’ squad for NRL matches.

The Broncos have also allocated some familiar faces to the Devils – Troy Dargan, Gehamat Shibasaki, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Bullemor and Kobe Hetherington will return to Bishop Park outside of Broncos’ duties.

Frontline players Andrew McCullough, Matt Gillett and Kodi Nikorima also have Devils’ allocations as the Broncos ensure that every player in their top squad has a placement regardless of whether they are likely to play at Intrust Super Cup level.

“We’re looking forward to some of those Broncos players returning from last season because they fitted in well with our club and have an understanding of what we’re trying to achieve here,” Devils coach Rohan Smith said.

“We’ll welcome Sean O’Sullivan and Andre Savelio if the Broncos don’t pick those players in their 17 at any stage. They obviously add to our depth and will bring their talents to the club.

“The arrangement with the Broncos works well for us because the club has a healthy respect for what we’re trying to do and they have been very welcoming in the pre-season to show us what they’re trying to achieve in 2019.”

The Devils also receive an allocation of players on Broncos contracts in the Under 20 and Under 18 grades. They include Jack Paterson, Jordan Riki, Danny Heenan, Joshua James and Micah Marsh.

Those players have ties to the Devils with Paterson and Riki featuring in the Colts premiership squad last season while Riki also made his Intrust Super Cup debut.

Sam Tagataese, a favourite during his two stints with the Devils, has this year been allocated to Souths Logan Magpies. The Devils wish him well.