Trent Barnard with his CDRL medal. Photo: Maria Girgenti
NORTHERN Pride has announced its first major signing for the 2014 Intrust Super Cup season, with Cairns District Rugby League Gold Medal winner Trent Barnard putting pen to paper on a one-year deal.
The Ivanhoes centre has an outstanding season this year, scoring a competition-high 29 tries and sharing CDRLs most prestigious honour with former Pride star Rod Jensen (Mareeba Gladiators).
Northern Pride coach Jason Demetriou said Barnard fully deserved a chance at state level and was excited with what the 23-year-old will bring to the Pride squad in 2014.
Trents had a fantastic season at the Knights, and is someone who deserves a shot at a higher level, said Demetriou.
Hes really keen to test himself at a higher level, have a good pre-season with the Pride and take his game to another level next year.
Hes been a lethal weapon for Ivanhoes in attack this season.
He has an uncanny knack of finding the tryline, has good footwork and strength, and leaves a mark on most games he plays in.
Im thrilled hes signed with the club and I think hell offer a great deal to our side.
Barnard is close friends with NRL star James Chicko Segeyaro, after spending a decade together playing at Ivanhoes.
Trent has seen the pathway that Chicko has followed, and I think hes got all the attributes to also make the grade at a higher level, said Demetriou.
In other exciting news for Pride fans, Demetriou also announced the re-signing of key backs Semi Tadulala (wing) and Brett Anderson (centre).
Semis not getting any younger, but he proved, especially with all his tries towards the back end of the season, that hes still got plenty to offer, Demetriou said.
And locking in Ando for another year is obviously great for the club.
Hes all class, and hell be as desperate as anyone to help us get over the line and become premiers in 2014.
Northern Pride will begin pre-season training on November 16 and Demetriou said Pride fans should expect more new signings to be announced over the coming weeks.
Im working on a few things to strengthen our squad even further, and Im confident Ill be able to get some exciting more additions in place before the lads come back together, he said.
