THE Northern Pride's depth faces yet another big test after the Queensland Cup new boys limped out of Saturday's 28-16 loss to the Central Comets with a mountainous injury toll.
It was a black night at Rockhampton’s Browne Park for the Pride with Drew Campbell (knee), Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (knee), Chris Afamasaga (sternum) and Cowboys recruit Matt Bartlett (shoulder) all in doubt for this week's home game against Tweed Heads.
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The football gods seemed determined not to grant the Pride any favours in the round-17 clash.
The bad omens started before kick-off with halfback Chris Sheppard forced to the bench after pinching a nerve in his neck during the warm-up.
Pride coach Andrew Dunemann said Sheppard's composure was missed in the opening 15 minutes when his side had the Comets at its mercy.
"It really killed us not having him there," he said.
"If Shep was on I reckon we could have blown them off the park.
"We absolutely hammered their line but we just couldn't get over.
"We had no direction and lacked a bit of punch."
The Pride trailed 16-10 at the break but, with his bench ravaged by injury, Dunemann could do little in the second half to stop his side losing touch with the Comets.
Dunemann said his players did well to restrict the home side to 28 points.
"It could have been a cricket score," he said.
"In the end I didn't really have anyone to throw back in there.
"But full credit to the Comets. We could sit here all afternoon coming up with excuses but they played really well."
All the fit Pride players were forced to play big minutes with Dunemann praising the endeavour of forwards Alex Starmer, Ben Laity and Greg Byrnes.
Hezron Murgha, Gordon Rattler and To’oto’o-ulugia all crossed for the Pride, with Sheppard kicking two goals.
Saturday night's defeat has dropped the Pride to second on the ladder behind the Ipswich Jets.
