By Michael Atkinson

It’s been 42 years since Norths last hoisted the Hospitals Challenge Cup.

The year was 1976 and the club was then known as “Teachers-Norths”.

Current coach, Nick Fogarty, was just six years of age when the Eagles sat on top of the Brisbane club rugby competition.

This weekend, with Norths hosting the Dogs, the Eagles will hold a “Heritage Round” at Shaw Sports to honour the proud history of the club.

“We’ve got Damien Barker coming to chat to the boys pre-game and present the jerseys,” Fogarty told Rugby News.

“He was the last guy to captain the club to a premiership, so I want the guys to feel that connection.”

“We’ve come a long way as a club in the past few years, but we haven’t experienced a lot of success on the field, particularly in terms of premierships, so I want the team to know there is a successful history.”

As well as Barker, there will be another high profile former player present to pay tribute to the past.

“Michael O’Connor will be there to speak at the official function.”

“He was originally a Teachers-Norths boy before being poached by Uni.”

The likes of Barker and O’Connor may almost feel like they’re back in their hey-day when the players run out on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re wearing retro jersey too,” Fogarty revealed.

“They’ll be like the old Teachers jersey: pale blue, long sleeve, with maroon collar and cuffs.”

But Fogarty stopped short of confirming there will be moustaches, high pants, perms and mullets.

Outside centre and captain, Conor Chittenden would be a strong candidate for a throwback hairstyle.

His flowing locks could easily turn into a luscious mullet or a tight perm, but alas, the skilful back is a notable absentee due to injury.

And he’s not the only one.

“(Chittenden) has broken his jaw and Cody Blackhurst has done his LCL,” Fogarty said.

“They are two big losses and AJ Campbell is away playing for Cook Islands this weekend, and we don’t have Kane (Douglas) and Duncan (Paia’aua), so we’ve lost a third of our side.”

The Reds are playing an internal trial at Ballymore today, not only robbing Norths of their Super Rugby talent, but also Wests.

Without Moses Sorovi, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Higginbotham and Filipo Daugunu, the Bulldogs will be losing some serious bite.

But, as is always the case in club land, those absentees allow other players to mark their mark in first grade.

And with just six games to go before finals, there is no better time than now for those players to prove they’re up to the challenge.

“Both sides are just sort of hanging in there as far as mathematically still being a chance of playing finals, but the loser is probably gone,” said Fogarty.

“The winner has still got that slight chance of maybe qualifying for the four.”

And the Eagles are eager to put on a show for their old boys.

“From my perspective, just because of the day, it’s important we put on a good performance and it’d be great if we can have a win.”

Norths kick off at 3:20pm against Wests at Hugh Courtney Oval.

The game will also be live streamed on redsrugby.com.au as the Match of the Round; with a replay to air on Fox Sports the following Wednesday.