Northern Pride's Riethmuller ready for corker
POWERHOUSE Northern Pride forward Joel Riethmuller is sure he will overcome a corked back in time for tomorrow night's Queensland Cup clash with the Sunshine Coast.
Named at lock for the 2009 grand final replay, Riethmuller was set to use last night’s Pride training session to gauge his fitness for the eagerly awaited encounter, but was confident of taking his place on the field.
"I’ve got a bit of a cork in my back from a couple of weeks ago and we’ll see how it pulls up," he said ahead of last night’s session.
"But it does look like I’ll be OK to play at the moment. I’ve had plenty of physio on it."
Riethmuller has already had more than his share of bad luck in recent years, suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2008 and contracting dengue fever early in last year’s premiership.
He said his Pride teammates were eager to rip into their grand final vanquishers from last season and was determined to line up alongside them.
"It’s a fairly big game and everyone is pretty keen to get out there," he said.
"This year is a new year and we just need to knuckle down and get the job done and do a bit better than we did (in the grand final)."
Riethmuller said after last year’s grand final that the Pride had choked on the day but did not think that would be an issue going into its season opener.
"We just didn’t turn up to play in the last game last year but the boys are ready to get one back on them," he said.
Riethmuller said the Pride was overdue for a first win against the Sea Eagles.
"We haven’t beaten them before," he said.
"They’re up three-zip, so they’ve got the wood on us big time."
The Tully product is determined to help the Pride end its run of outs against the Sea Eagles, especially after having added bulk and strength to his frame during an intense off-season in the gym.
Share this article
Forward thinking: Joel Riethmuller, who has bulked up in the off-season, is confident of being fit to face the Sunshine Coast. Picture: JAKE NOWAKOWSKI
Cairns swimmer, 86, joins masters action
JIM Nimmo was going to retire from competitive swimming this year.
17 teams up for cup in Mareeba
MAREEBA premier division co-coach Alex Srhoj says the club is buzzing at the return of Mazda Cup competition to the FNQ region soccer calendar.
Aussie bowlers train in Cairns downpour
YESTERDAY'S pouring rain was not in the plan, but Australian lawn bowls team officials were otherwise pleased with their second three-day camp at Marlin Coast.
Anderson backs Northern Pride
WHEN Northern Pride centre Brett Anderson looks around him at training, he sees a backline with unlimited potential.
Horse racing revival in Cairns
CAIRNS will become one of the horse racing capitals of Queensland as part of a massive overhaul of Cannon Park.
