Jayden Hodges is back where it all began and has returned to Cairns to join with Northern Pride for season 2021.
The talented rake, who featured in the NRL previously for North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles, played his junior football for the Cairns Kangaroos.
The former Mackay Cutters skipper returned home to be with family last year after the cancellation of the 2020 season and will provide plenty of leadership to the young Pride squad after being named co-captain alongside fellow hooker Chris Ostwald.
Coach Ty Williams has also added another signing with Cup experience in former Norths Devils back Jayden Corrigan, who spent the 2020 season playing in the BRL A Grade competition with Valleys Diehards.
Corrigan made his Intrust Super Cup debut in 2019, but battled injuries during the season, limiting his game time. This season, he will be hoping to show more of his abilities on the field.
Young gun Jack Bowyer is another back to watch, having moved back north from Easts Tigers, now Brisbane Tigers, after spending time learning in the Melbourne Storm NRL system.
The Northern Pride will begin their 2021 Intrust Super Cup season with an away trip to Sunshine Coast Stadium to take on the Falcons in Round 1.
Match: Falcons v Pride
Round 1 -
home Team
Falcons
12th Position
away Team
Pride
3rd Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Northern Pride 2021 gains and losses
Gains: Ash Little (Mackay Cutters), Jayden Hodges (Mackay Cutters), Thomas Steadman (North Sydney Bears), Jayden Corrigan (Norths Devils), Grant Anderson (Newcastle Knights), Dallas Skardon (Ivanhoes Knights), Whyatt Barnes (Ivanhoes Knights), Kurt Jackson (Mareeba Gladiators), Jack Bowyer (Easts Tigers), Mark Rosendale (Edmonton Storm)
Losses: Jack Campagnolo (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Patrick Gallen (Redcliffe Dolphins), Javid Bowen (North Queensland Toyota Cowboys), Gideon Gela-Mosby (released), Quinlyn Cannon (released), Matolu Laumea (released), Steven Tatipata (released), Joseph Eichner (released)
*Submissions made by clubs and correct at time of publication.
