Broadhurst closes on century

As Connor Broadhurst closes on 100 Intrust Super Cup matches, he can draw plenty of links with players on opposition teams.

The Baralaba junior – a childhood friend of Corey Oates – has spent time in the Parramatta and Gold Coast systems before continuing his impressive career with Norths Devils.

This Sunday, Broadhurst is set to face another former teammate when the Devils take on James Roberts and the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Bishop Park.

Broadhurst and Roberts were together in the Titans’ NRL system before their careers took different turns.

Now, they may end up opposing each other depending on where the Seagulls decide to play Roberts as the Brisbane Broncos centre returns to the Intrust Super Cup.

If Roberts plays his preferred right centre position, he will be opposite Broadhurst and in the vicinity of Devils backrower Nixon Putt – one of the hardest-hitting defenders in the competition.

Broadhurst said he was continuing to enjoy his busy football career. Just a few weeks after his 25th birthday, Broadhurst sits on 97 ISC appearances to add to his 52 matches in the NRL Under 20 competition.

He also featured for the Queensland Residents in their win over New South Wales two weeks ago, cementing Broadhurst’s credentials as a player with genuine NRL claims.

“I’ve enjoyed being able to play a lot over the years and, by doing that, I’ve met a lot of teammates and played under different coaches,” Broadhurst said.

“It’s been really enjoyable at Norths this year. It’s really good that we have the style in which Ro (coach Rohan Smith) likes to use the ball across the park and we can play on any opportunity that we see.

“We’ve done well so far but we know there are areas that we can continue to improve on and Sunday will be another good test for us.”
Wynnum goes into Sunday’s match in third place while the Devils are fourth, buoyed by a 42-18 win over Mackay Cutters at Bishop Park last Saturday night.

Broadhurst was active from the opening minute of that match, slicing through a tackle for a 40-metre run that linked with Putt for a fast opening try.

Away from the field, Broadhurst is a high school teacher, using a Diploma in Education that he gained after completing a degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Devils crack Mackay hoodoo with win

Teenage winger Herbie Farnworth scored three tries as Norths Devils ended their Mackay hoodoo with a 42-18 Intrust Super Cup victory at Bishop Park tonight.

Farnworth sealed the match with an individual try in the 73rd minute, sprinting 40m from dummy half. With five conversions tonight, he lifted his season tally to 78 points and showed why the Brisbane Broncos were keen to wrest the young Englishman from the clutches of soccer giants including Manchester United.

The Devils ended a three-match losing streak against the Cutters, whose twin wins in 2018 impacted on Norths’ chances to end their finals drought.

But the Devils were impressive tonight, blasting into action when second-rower Nixon Putt crossed from the opening set of the match after Queensland Residents centre Connor Broadhurst busted the line.

When Broncos half Sean O’Sullivan dummied and scored six minutes later, the Devils were away.

O’Sullivan was active again close to halftime when he clasped an intercept, surging down the right-hand side where he found Farnworth’s speed to create a 22-6 scoreline.

Three tries in five minutes in the second half pushed the Devils to 38-6 but Mackay kept fighting and grabbed tries in the 64th and 68th minutes. The fightback was expected given the reputation that the Cutters have established for being a difficult team to break down.

The win pushed the Devils to a 7-3 win-loss record, setting up an exciting clash with Wynnum Seagulls at Bishop Park next Sunday.

There was plenty for Devils fans to like tonight, including two tries for Putt who continues to impress his new supporters at Nundah. Captain Jack Ahearn was also rewarded for his energy with a 58th minute try.

Farnworth racked up the points to continue the impressive start to his young career. He made an immediate impression for the Devils as an 18-year-old in round 1 last year but he suffered a broken hand in his debut.

He returned almost two months later, scoring an excellent try against Easts but he broke the same hand in the act of scoring.

Tonight’s team tally of 42 points equalled the highest for Norths since coach Rohan Smith took over at the start of last season. The Devils had defeated Souths Logan 42-16 in round three as their 2019 season began to take shape.

It was an important result for Norths tonight, rebounding from a loss to Tweed Heads Seagulls before the representative break.

Norths welcomed Pride Petterson-Robati as Devil No.1288, making his debut from the interchange bench.

Earlier today, Mackay Cutters fought back late in the Hastings Deering Colts match to defeat the Devils 20-19.

NORTHS DEVILS 42 (Herbie Farnworth 3, Nixon Putt 2, Sean O’Sullivan, Paul Ulberg, Jack Ahearn tries, Farnworth 5 goals) d MACKAY CUTTERS 18 (Carlin Anderson, Brenden Treston, Jayden Hodges tries, Anderson 3 goals) at Bishop Park.