2008 was the first competitive season for the Cairns based CRGT Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club. They were one of 11 clubs that played in the thirteenth season of Queensland's top rugby league competition, QRL's Wizard Queensland Cup.
'Shep' was the first player signed to the Pride, followed by local players Hezron Murgha and Noel Underwood from CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks, Kahu Wehi and Ritchie Marsters from Tully Tigers, Alex Starmer from Ivanhoes Knights, and Jason Roos from Mareeba Gladiators. The Chief Executive Officer and Commercial Manager visited Port Moresby to sign PNG players, but the Pride were unable to get work visas for the pair to enter Australia.
The Northern Pride played ten home games and ten away games over 22 rounds between March and August, and three games in the finals series. Their inaugural match was a home game, played at Barlow Park, Cairns, when the Pride scored eight tries, beating newcomers Mackay Cutters 44–16.[9] Eleven North Queensland Cowboys played this match (three for the Pride and eight for the Cutters). The match itself was something of a debacle, as the pitch was a rain-drenched mud-pit and coach Dunemann wanted the game called off. Pride officials turned spectators, match officials, caterers and security officers away, claiming the match was cancelled, but QRL insisted the game proceed.[10]
The Pride won their first seven games, before their first defeat in Round 8, when they lost 34–4 to Tweed Heads Seagulls.[11] Injuries dogged the team in the middle of the season, and Rugby League Week magazine predicted the newcomers would finish towards the bottom of the table. The Pride lost the last three matches of the regular season, but still finished in third place, having won 13 of their 20 games.[12] They reached the Preliminary Final, but lost in golden point extra-time to the Souths Logan Magpies, who went on to win the Grand Final.[13]
Six of the Pride's away games were televised on ABC 1. There were calls for the ABC to expand their outside broadcasting abilities and televise a Pride home game next season.
The Pride's office was at Mann Street in Westcourt and the team trained at Jones Park. In June 2008 the Pride purchased CDRL Kangaroos Leagues Club and Vico Oval, Irene Street, Mooroobool from the Redcliffe Dolphins in June 2008 for $1.85m (the Dolphins having purchased the Oval and Leagues Club from the Kangaroos in 2005 when Kangaroos were in financial difficulty). The playing field was renamed as Pride Oval, and the end of season Player Awards ceremony was held at the rebranded Pride Leagues Club.[14] The facility was to be used as an administration and training base, there were plans for a multi-million dollar development and for the Pride junior teams to play there. Six weeks later, however, the project was put on hold as the Pride faced financial uncertainty after chairman O'Brien's Pacific Toyota dealership went into receivership with debts around $25 million. O'Brien was a majority owner of the NBLCairns Taipans, and had withdrawn financial support from the basketball team, placing them into voluntary administration. The QRL delayed the release of next seasons draw pending a review of the Pride's financial situation. O'Brien stood aside as the Northern Pride's chairman, and was replaced by Bob Fowler, former chairman of the Queensland Cup side the Cairns Cyclones.[15]
At the start of the season attempts were made to sign players from the PNGrugby league, but problems with visas prevented them coming to Australia.[17]
Pre-season boot camp: Croco Dylus Village Camp, Daintree River, 19–20 January 2008.[20]
Season Launch: 7 March 2008 at 11.00am, Stockland Cairns shopping centre, Earlville. (Originally scheduled as part of the Esplanade Lagoon's fifth-year celebrations but moved to Stockland Cairns due to Wet season flooding in Cairns).[21]
2008 player awards
26 September 2008, Pride Leagues Club, Irene Street, Mooroobool.[22]
Interchange: 14. Richie Marsters, 15. Ben Kerr, 16. Eric Warria, 17. Jordan Kane, 18. Ryan Ghetti.
* = Cowboys allocation.
Cairns Select Squad: ?
Note: This match was originally scheduled to be played at Callendar Park, Innisfail, but was changed Jilara Oval, the home ground of the CDRL Yarrabah Seahawks.
Pre-season Trial 2 Saturday 16 February 2008 16:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Unavailable: Josh Vaughan (called up to play for the Cowboys in their trial against the Broncos.
NYC U-20s Cowboys: ?
Note: When the original trial match against the Mackay Cutters at Darryl Bourke Oval, Moranbah was cancelled due to wet conditions, Pride coach Andrew Dunemann decided to play an intra-club trial match in Cairns instead. However Pride sponsor Skytrans offered to fly the NYCNorth Queensland Cowboys U-20s squad to Cairns. Entry to the game was $5. Noel Underwood was placed on report for a dangerous tackle. Ryan Bartlett ended his season with an ACL tear.
Pre-season Trial 3 Saturday 23 February 2008 17:30 AEST (UTC+10)
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL).
Skills Training Mackay Cutters: 2. Chris Giumelli, 4. Anthony Perkins*, Sam Granville, Anthony Watts*, Daniel Backo*, Sione Faumuina*, Sam Faust*, 13. Adam Schubert (c), 12. Dayne Weston*, 11. Keiron Lander*, 10. John Frith*, Daniel Abraham, Jamie McDonald.
Interchange: Aaron Barba, Kerrod Toby, Matt Mannion, Jim Bryant.
* = Cowboys allocation (8 players allocated for this match).
Barlow Park (Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD) Referee: Justin Davis. Touch judges: Michael Inman, Darryl Bell. Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano.
* = Cowboys allocation (6 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL), Steven Sheppard (sternum)
Northern Suburbs Devils: 1. Todd Parnell, 2. Denan Kemp, 3. Patrick Fray, 4. Luke Samoa, 5. George Kepa, 6. Joel Moon, 7. Jacob Fauid, 13. Jack Pearson, 12. Billy Rogers, 11. Matt Forrest, 10. Ryan Barton, 9. Marc Brentnall (c), 8. Blake Blackburn.
Meakin Park (Logan, QLD) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV Referee: Michael Wise. Touch judges: Justin Davis, Chris Butler. Interchange Official: Robert Grogan. Video Referee: Tony Maksoud. Player of the Match: Greg Byrnes
Interchange: 14. Jason Roos, 15. Alex Starmer, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Noel Underwood.
* = Cowboys allocation (2 players allocated for this match).
Unavailable: Ryan Bartlett (ACL).
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Quentin Laulu Togagae, 2. Shea Moylan, 3. Brad Cross, 4. Chad Grintell, 5. Kyle Lodge, 6. Marc Herbert, 7. Michael Dobson, 13. Josh White, 12. Lewis Balcomb, 11. Tim Cannard, 10. Cy Lasscock, 9. Glen Buttriss, 8. Daniel Joyce.
Interchange: 14. Brogan Gibson, 15. Nick Colley, 16. Mckanah Gibson, 17. Phil Dennis.
Coach: Paul Bramley.
Note: Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright. This was Brett Anderson last game before leaving to play for Melbourne Storm. He returned to the Pride in 2010. The Pride were down by 18 points at half-time, but they scored 28 unanswered points in the second half for a dramatic come-from-behind win. This was the Pride debut for Hezron Murgha (Player 023).
Tries: 2 Tangi Ropati 1 Kev Stephensen 1 Marcus Jensen 1 Trent Young
Goals: 3 Matt Lockyer 1 Isaac Kaufmann
Barlow Park (Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD) Referee: Nick Kalpakidis. Touch judges: Darryl Bell, Greg Watt. Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano.
Interchange: 15. Warren Jensen, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Alex Starmer, 18. Adam Mills.
* = Cowboys allocation (3 players allocated for this match).'
Unavailable: Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (ribs), Brett Anderson (transferred to the Melbourne Storm), Ryan Bartlett (ACL).
Easts Tigers: 1. Wade Liddell, 2. Tangi Ropati, 3. Liam Capewell, 4. Matt Gruszka, 5. Kev Stephensen, 6. Isaac Kaufmann, 7. Jason Connors, 13. Scott Sipple, 12. Marcus Jensen, 11. Anthony Boyd, 10. Fred Tila, 9. Trent Young, 8. Charles Tonga.
Interchange: 14. Josh Griffith, 15. Cameron Durnford, 16. Tom Macgougan, 17. Matt Lockyer.
Coach: Darren Smith.
Note: Stephen Sheppard was sent from the field in the second half and Joel Riethmuller suffered a season ending knee injury. This was the Pride debut for Adam Mills (Player 025).
Tweed Heads Seagulls: 1. Ryan Milligan, 2. Cameron White, 3. Dennis Gordon, 4. James Wood, 5. Joel Rapana, 6. Brad Davis (c), 7. Tim Maccan, 13. Clint Amos, 12. Selasi Berdie, 11. Chris Enahoro, 10. Chris Farrell, 9. Matt King, 8. Roy Friend.
Interchange: 14. Billy Ngawini, 15. Adam Mansy, 16. Brock Hunter, 17. Michael Henderson.
Central Comets: 1. Nat Bowman, 2. Marty Hatfield, 3. Karl Johnson, 4. Guy Williams, 5. Jimmy Radloff, 6. Wayne Barnett, 7. Marc Fickling, 13. Mick Esdale, 12. Todd Titmus, 11. Brent Williams, 10. Brenton Williamson, 9. Kam Wilkinson, 8. Luke Fatnowna.
Interchange: 14. Logan Sullivan, 15. Matt Minto, 16. George Tuakura, 17. Luke Scott.
Coach: Wayne Barnett.
Note: This was the Pride's seventh game and their seventh win.
Ned Byrne Oval, Cudgen Park (Kingscliff. NSW) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV Referee: Clayton Sharpe. Touch judges: Rod Spain, David Shaw. Interchange Official: Daniel Gigliotti. Video Referee: Rex Little.
Tweed Heads Seagulls: 1. Ryan Milligan, 2. Cameron White, 3. Dennis Gordon, 4. James Wood, 5. Joel Rapana, 6. Brad Davis (c), 7. Tim Maccan, 13. Clint Amos, 12. Selasi Berdie, 11. Chris Enahoro, 10. Chris Farrell, 9. Matt King, 8. Roy Friend.
Interchange: 14. Billy Ngawini, 15. Adam Mansy, 16. Brock Hunter, 17. Michael Henderson.
Note: Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright. This was the Pride's first defeat after eight rounds of the competition.
Wynnum-Manly Seagulls: 1. David Seage, 2. Jason Moon, 3. Simon Phillips, 4. Chris Mcqueen, 5. Chris Currie, 6. Chris Birch, 7. Matt Seamark, 13. Dallas Mcilwain, 12. Adam Brideson, 11. Luke Dalziel Don, 10. Ben Czislowski, 9. Aoterangi Herangi, 8. Jason Williams.
Interchange: 14. Chris Muckert, 15. Fili Sofa, 16. John Te Reo, 17. Darren Bain.
Coach: Shane Mcnally.
Note: This was the Pride debut for Ben Kerr and Richie Marsters (Players 027 & 028). Chris Afamasaga from the Gold Coast Titans and Jamie Frizzo from the North Queensland Cowboys signed to the Pride this week.
Briggs Rd Sporting Complex (Ipswich, QLD) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV Referee: Gavin Morris. Touch judges: Rod Spain, Chris Butler. Interchange Official: Daniel Griffin. Video Referee: Tony Maksoud. Player of the Match: Chey Bird.
Ipswich Jets: 1. Troy O'Sullivan, 2. Scott Ireland, 3. Donald Malone, 4. Jason Bulgarelli, 5. Brendan Marshall, 6. Josh Lewis, 7. Ian Lacey, 13. Danny Coburn, 12. Kris Kahler, 11. Trevor Exton, 10. Isaak Ah Mau, 9. Michael Ryan, 8. Aaron Sweeney.
Interchange: 14. Todd Riggs, 15. Matthew Mcphee, 16. Scott Alo, 17. Leigh Coghill.
Coach: Kevin Walters.
Note: Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright. This was the Pride debut for Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, Jamie Frizzo, and Chris Afamasaga (Players 026, 029 & 030).
Tries: 2 Nick Emett 1 Ryan Cullen 1 Liam Georgetown 1 Chris Fox Goals: 3 Marty Turner
Barlow Park (Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD) Referee: Justin Davis. Touch judges: Greg Watt, Daniel Caamano. Interchange Official: Michael Inman.
Redcliffe Dolphins: 1. Ryan Cullen, 2. Kaine Manihera, 3. Chris Fox, 4. Matt Harris, 5. Tim Yee, 6. Michael Wilson, 7. Shane Perry, 13. Nathan Tutt, 12. Danny Burke, 11. Grant Flugge, 10. James Crombie, 9. Michael Roberts, 8. Troy Lindsay.
Interchange: 14. Derrick Watkins, 15. Nick Walker, 16. Brian West, 17. Lachlan Morgan.
Coach: Gary O'Brien.
Note: In the second half Mark Cantoni was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
Langlands Park (Stones Corner, Brisbane, QLD) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV Referee: Gavin Morris. Touch judges: Justin Davis, Michael Inman. Interchange Official: Jon Kennedy. Video Referee: Tony Maksoud.
Tries: 2 Ben Jeffery 1 Shayne Joyce 1 James Wood 1 Matthew Pow 1 Matt King Goals: 4 Ben Jeffery 1 Daniel Evans
Barlow Park (Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD) Referee: Clayton Sharpe. Touch judges: Michael Inman, Daniel Caamano. Interchange Official: Darryl Bell.
Tweed Heads Seagulls: 1. Shayne Joyce, 2. Luke Dumas, 3. Dennis Gordon, 4. James Wood, 5. Joel Rapana, 6. Daniel Evans, 7. Tim Maccan, 13. Matthew Pow, 12. Adam Mansy, 11. Selasi Berdie, 10. Ian Donnelly, 9. Matt King, 8. Chris Farrell.
Interchange: 14. Billy Ngawini, 15. Jack Rampling, 16. Roy Friend, 17. Andre Amato.
Coach: Michael Woods.
Note: This was the Pride debut for halfback Luke Millwood and outside back Eric Warria (Players 033 & 034). Pride players wore yellow armbands as part of the Cancer Council's National "Call To Arms" campaign. The Pride also contribute $1 from every ticket sold and game day sponsor Skytrans gave a bonus of $100 for every try scored and $50 for every goal converted.
Tries: Jason Moon 1 Chris McQueen 1 Chris Currie 1 Simon Phillips 1 Adam Brideson 1 Darren Bain 1 Aoterangi Herangi 1 Goals: Chris Birch 3 Matt Seamark 1
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. David Seage, 2. Ryan Brown, 3. Jason Moon, 4. Chris Mcqueen, 5. Chris Currie, 6. Chris Birch, 7. Matt Seamark, 13. Simon Phillips, 12. Adam Brideson, 11. Darren Bain, 10. Ben Czislowski, 9. Aoterangi Herangi, 8. Jason Williams.
Interchange: 14. Chris Muckert, 15. Angus Martin, 16. John Te Reo, 17. Guy Ford.
Tries: 2 Smith Samau 1Donald Malone 1 Isaak Ah Mau 1 Aaron Sweeney 1 Adam Boettcher Goals: 3 Donald Malone
Barlow Park (Severin Street, Parramatta Park, QLD) Referee: Clayton Sharpe. Touch judges: Michael Inman, Darryl Bell. Interchange Official: Daniel Caamano.
Briggs Rd Sporting Complex (Ipswich, QLD) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV Referee: Justin Davis Touch judges: Clayton Sharpe, Rod Spain Interchange Officials: Daniel Gicliotti
Langlands Park (Stones Corner, Brisbane, QLD) Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV. Referee: Gavin Morris. Touch judges: David Shaw, Peter Jones. Interchange Officials: Peter Anderson.
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Quentin Laulu Togagae, 2. Mathew Templeman, 3. Kyle Lodge, 4. Chad Grintell, 5. Shea Moylan, 6. Brad Cross, 7. Alby Talipeau, 13. Josh White, 12. Lewis Balcomb, 11. Tim Cannard, 10. Liam Mcdonald, 9. Mckanah Gibson, 8. Daniel Joyce.
Interchange: 14. Graham Levu, 15. Brogan Gibson, 16. Nick Colley, 17. Dashae Francis.
Coach: Paul Bramley.
Note: The score was 12-all at full time, and Souths Logan Magpies scored after 8 minutes of extra time. Broadcast live on ABC 1 TV with ABC Sport's Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright. This was the Pride debut for Callan Myles (Player 035). The Pride used 35 different players this season. Ben Laity and Josh Vaughan played all 23 games this season.
In 2008 games were televised by ABC TV and shown live across Queensland through the ABC1 channel at 2.00pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoons. The commentary team was Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.
The Pride appeared in six televised games this season: