Norths improved dramatically throughout last year’s Hospital Cup season, dropping just two matches after round 12 to finish seventh.

Dan Ritchie is hopeful his side can take the next step this season and continue the club’s rise up the ladder.

Overview with Dan Ritchie:

“We’re excited to be a few weeks out from another season,” coach Dan Ritchie told Rugby News

“We feel like we’re a lot further ahead of where we were this time 12 months ago so that’s really positive. 

“We managed to finish the year off really well in 2024 and build some momentum in what we’re doing at the club. That sort of carried over into the Sevens season and our boys were fortunate enough to win the QLD Sevens tournament at the end of last year, which was a really big thing for us.

“We don’t have a lot of silverware in our trophy cabinet, at a Premier level, so it’s certainly a step in the right direction. 

“We gave those Sevens boys some time off after that, then moved into a club-wide pre-season before Christmas and then we’ve trained as a Premier Squad for the last few months. 

“We played Eastwood in a trial last weekend down at Lennox Heads, which was a really good hit out. We’ve got a good relationship with them, which is great and we were pretty lucky to get that trial in. This week has obviously been called off. 

“It’s hard to articulate, but I think there’s a lot of belief in what we’re doing at the club and I don’t think we’ve collectively been as excited about a season as we are for this year at Norths for quite a while.”

2024: 7th (4 wins, 2 draws, 10 losses)

Ins: Jack Small (returning), Paddy Dallimore (returning – Brothers), Louis de Villiers (returning – Brothers), Oahu Davey-Phillips (returning – Brothers), James Atonio (Wests), Moses Armstrong-Ravula (Manawatu) 

Outs: Jordan Luke (medically retired), Connor Chittenden (retired),  Kieran Fitzgibbon (retired), Harry Goggin (Western Force), Tevita Toloi (Japan), 

What sort of rugby will we see from Norths this year? 

“We’re looking to evolve our game model this year and add a few more layers to it,” the coach said. 

“But I still think we’ll keep that principles-based game on both sides of the ball and maintain a real attacking mindset. Similar to what we’ve worked towards over the last few years. 

“Obviously personnel throughout the year will dictate that, but I think you’ll see a very fast, skill and speed-based game.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“A guy that probably jumped out last year and ended up playing every game was our fullback Alex Flanagan-Smith

“With Will McCulloch missing most of the year, he ended up playing the entire season at either fullback or on the wing for us and he was just electric. 

“He has really good speed and with his AFL background, he’s got a good kick and overhead skills. 

“He was also our leading point scorer last year, so, I’d expect him to have a pretty big year again. 

“Josh Mongard was our player of the year last year but he’s struggled with a few injuries throughout preseason. 

“Ollie Harris has had some opportunities with the Reds Development over summer and he’ll be in for a big season.

“And then our halves Connor O’Regan and Harry Langbridge. They’ve started to build a really strong combination over the last 12 months and were a big driving force when we played well last year.”

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final and why? 

“Look, I’ll say the same thing I said last year, I think we can be in it. We’ve obviously got some work to do, but that’s where we want to be and that’s certainly what we’re aiming for. 

“Wests are probably the team to beat. They’d almost have enough depth to field two teams in first grade and their first colts team made the grand final last year. 

“Brothers will also be strong and I think GPS will move up the ladder under Sio Kite.”