The NRL State Championship returns this year following a three-year hiatus and Kierran Moseley is hoping to see history repeat as he takes part in his second match on the NRL’s biggest day.
The Norths Devils hooker featured in the inaugural NRL State Championship in 2014 with this weekend’s opposition, Penrith Panthers, who were highly favoured to claim the title, but the team were defeated by an unheralded Northern Pride side that featured players who had never even ventured outside of the state of Queensland.
This year, as part of the Devils team who will provide the only Queensland representation on grand final day, Moseley was hoping to this time be part of the team that defied the odds and expectations.
“It’s been really good, I think the boys are really focused, and keen to play Penrith on Sunday,” Moseley said.
“It’s a huge occasion for the club, for the state, individually for a lot of players, playing on grand final day, even playing in Sydney, it’s going to be huge, but I think the boys are really focused.
“We know how hard it is going to be. We have spoken about how Penrith are all full-time and no one will really give us a chance to win the game, but I think the thing with Norths and our club is that we have stuck together all year.
“I think that is what it is going to take on the weekend to get the outcome that we want; everyone has to do it together.”
Back then, Moseley was a fresh-faced youngster with the Panthers, but has had time to look back on what he learnt from that match and has shared what with his team.
“Reflecting back on that (first game), I was only 20 I think when I played in that competition and in that game with Penrith, we had a lot of individually good talent and I think we just took it for granted,” Moseley – who returned from a broken arm mid-way through this season to become a key cog in the success of the Devils this year – said.
“It was the very first one as well, so the concept, probably not fully understanding the concept as well of that day.”
Moseley is just one of the players who have featured in the colours of their rivals, with Connor Broadhurst, who has moved into the halves for this match to cover for Tyrone Roberts a former Panther, and Penrith prop Eddie Blacker a Devils junior.
For Blacker, featuring in this game and taking home the win was always the major prize.
“We knew we had this game again and I think most of us definitely wanted to come out this weekend and win this one as well, and I am sure we will be celebrating a bit more on Sunday,” Blacker said.
“I don’t think anyone had to refocus, we were always focused on this game and always knew it was coming and always definitely wanted to win this one as well … I think this is always the pinnacle for us and we are not done yet.
“I did watch (the Norths) game, it was a bit tough with the scoreline too, they were going back-and-forth as well, I had a feeling Norths were going to come out on top and I was kind of hoping that they would as well so I could come up against them this week.”
While Blacker hasn’t played with any of the current Devils, he was well aware of the players and one half of the head coaching team of Kevin Neighbour and Ben King, who will become the second co-coaching team from the Queensland competition behind Ben Walker and Shane Walker to take their side to the championship.
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“I didn’t play with any of them, but most of those boys were playing Cup when I was in the juniors, so there are definitely a few familiar faces in that team and I am sure it will be good to catch up with them after the game,” Blacker said.
“The club did help me a lot coming through the ranks, when Rohan (Smith) was there, he was a very good person for everyone, then again, Kevvy (Neighbour), the coach now was my 20s coach, so I had a lot to do with him coming up and it’s good to see he’s been quite successful at the top.
While Blacker – like Moseley – held fond memories and high praise for his former club, his goal was to set the right tone for his NRL squad mates who headed in support at the NSWRL grand final.
“Hopefully we can get the win as well as the NRL side and have all four teams come out on top so that would be pretty special, it would be the first time in 100 and something years, so we are all looking to create history on Sunday,” Blacker said.
Moseley – who made his NRL debut with the Panthers in 2014 – was keen to spoil the Penrith party and said the NRL State Championship was a special occasion and a chance for players to showcase their skills and play with pride.
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“We are representing ourselves, but we are also representing the club, but also the state and the competition, I know a lot of the boys what to do that proud and make sure we perform really well, I think that’s the main thing, I think if we do perform really well, we’ll get a result,” Moseley said.
“We want to win, but I think if we perform really well, we can get a result from a good team like Penrith.
“There will be a lot of fans down there for them given it’s a western derby, but hopefully all the boys really enjoy it and just have fun I guess, it’s going to be a big day for everyone.
“It is definitely different to what some of the boys would usually encounter, but it’s a good challenge.”
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