Petero awaits Pride
THE Petero Civoniceva Queensland farewell tour will stop in Cairns next May when the former Queensland and Broncos legend brings his Redcliffe Dolphins to Barlow Park.
Pride's round eight clash against the Dolphins, scheduled for the first weekend of May, is the early season highlight of the Intrust Super Cup draw, which was released yesterday.
"I can't wait for the new Intrust Super Cup season," Civoniceva said in a press release announcing the 2013 draw.
"For me, it's linking back to my junior club where it all started.
"We saw what Dane Carlaw did with Wynnum Manly this season. He's been tremendous and I think for me, it's doing that similar sort of role.
"Being a senior player in the game, I am really looking forward to working with the young guys out at Redcliffe."
The weekend of March 16 will give Pride fans the first real glimpse of the new-look team charged with returning to the finals after a one-year absence.
After David Maiden decided to step away from the job, the club recruited new coach Jason Demetriou and a host of new players to replace Chey Bird, Rod Jensen, Ethan Lowe and other departed squad members. Their first major test will come in the season-opener at Barlow Park against fellow North Queensland Cowboys feeder club, Mackay Cutters.
"The round one match-ups are superb and they will provide a glimpse of the excitement to follow throughout the rest of the season," QRL Major Competitions general manager Jamie O'Connor said in a press release announcing the draw yesterday.
Following the rivalry, the Pride's course gets tricky.
Based on last season's records, they face the second-weakest schedule in the league leading into their round seven bye but only two of those six games are at home.
If they can beat 2012 strugglers Mackay, Burleigh, Souths Logan and Sunshine Coast, the Pride will have at least a 4-2 record when Civoniceva and last year's minor premiers come to town and the tough part of the schedule begins.
O'Connor said the schedule release marked the start of the build-up for the new season.
"The countdown to the 2013 premiership season is well and truly under way following the release of the draw today," he said.
2013 NORTHERN PRIDE: AT A GLANCE
COACH: Jason Demetriou (replacing David Maiden)
Gains: Jordan Biondi-Odo (Innisfail Brothers), Nick Dorante (North Queensland Cowboys NYC), Tom Hancock (North Queensland Cowboys NYC), Brian Murgha (Edmonton Storm), Sam Obst (Keighley Cougars), Aidan Smith (Northcote RLFC New Zealand), Steve Snitch (Castleford Tigers), Semi Tadulala (Keighley Cougars), Jordan Tighe (Gold Coast Titans NYC)
Losses: Chey Bird (Retired), Brenton Bowen (Retired), Mark Dalle Cort (Released), Ben Fitzpatrick (Released), Scott Gibson (Released), Rod Jensen (Mareeba Gladiators), Ethan Lowe (North Queensland Cowboys), Sosaia Makisi (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Mitchell Seri
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Star power: Retired Bronco and Queensland star Petero Civoniceva will play against the Pride for Redcliffe in round 8.
