Yeah Filth, Elias Power plays #7. He had last season off to focus on crossfit or something?? Very fit player. Was in and out of Prems in 2012. Another #7, Tom Hewitt from 2013, is also down at Crosby this year as he wanted to play with his mates this year. Missed the end of last season due to a shoulder injury. Real workhorse.
Andrew Gentles (#6/7) who started in Prems last season and the whole of 2012, has gone to Easts due to his employer being involved on the board or committee there. He only played a handful of games last season due to a back injury.
Api (Fijian 7s player and #4, 5 or 6) has headed to Yoku Road and taken another talented Fijian back - Manasa Tuisuva - with him. Api only played a few games last season until he tore his hamstring off the bone in the early rounds, vs GPS ironically.
Carlos Gavidi, a Norths regular and Captain for these past few seasons, will not be back this year from Spain. He is heading back to NZ for the birth of his first child.
Brett Goodin, our halfback from last season, is returning to Taranaki with the aim to add to his 74 Taranaki caps in the ITM Cup limited chances here. He wasn't given an opportunity to shine due to our performances on the field, which is fair enough.
It is a common trend for Norths, losing good players to what they think is greener pastures (some obviously are greener) and that is fine as we will never stand in their way. At the end of the day, when we are all hobbling around on bent & broken limbs, we all know that Rugby is a special community built on mateship, and we will always respect their decisions without an ounce of bitterness.
All the best boys!
We are more than happy working with the players that want to be there and have been turning up week in and week out and putting in the effort so far this pre season. We feel we are developing into a pretty good unit down at the Nest.
Still a bit short in depth for a couple of positions, so if any budding Premier players reading this, feel they aren't getting or going to get a fair crack at Premier Rugby at their current club, feel free to pop down to Shaw Road for a look. (shameless plug, sorry guys!)
Norths are travelling to Rocky to play the CQ Brahmans on Saturday night in both Premier and Premier Colts grades.
Our grades are playing Caboolture in the 'Boolt'
Next week we have a full club trial vs Souths @ Norths.