Sport
28 August, 2026
Late finals berth still possible
THE Kenfrost Homes Northern Pride will return to Barlow Park on Saturday for the final round of the regular season, with the club’s BMD Premiership women still in contention for a finals berth.
The Pride women head into their clash with the Mackay Cutters after an 18-14 win over the CQ Capras last weekend, leaving them seventh on the ladder.
The Pride must defeat the Cutters and hope the Sunshine Coast Falcons defeat the Ipswich Jets. If both outcomes go their way, the Pride will finish in the top six and secure a place in the finals.
Head coach Colin Wilkie praised his side’s defensive performance against the Capras, who had 82 play-the-balls inside the Pride’s 20-metre zone yet managed only two tries.
“I’ve never seen a defensive effort from our team over the last two years like that,” he said.
“It showed a lot of character and a lot of heart.”
Jairel Martin-Savage broke her hand during the match but continued playing, while Mackenzie Stephens played nearly a full game through the middle as injuries depleted the Pride.
“We’re not ready for our season to be over, that’s for sure,” Wilkie said.
Meanwhile, the Hostplus Cup side will aim to finish its 2026 season strongly against the PNG Hunters after a 14-24 loss to the Capras left the Pride 10th on the ladder.
Head coach Sam Williams said the side had made progress throughout the season, despite areas needing improvement.
“We’ve come a long way this year. There are certainly areas of our game that we’ve got to be better at to be able to play finals.”
The Pride will be without Kobe Rugless and Bailey Aldridge after both sustained long-term injuries last weekend.
Gates at Barlow Park open at 2:30pm on Saturday 29 August, with Northern Pride facing the PNG Hunters in the Hostplus Cup at 3pm, followed by the BMD Premiership clash with the Mackay Cutters at 5pm.
