BACKROWER Ethan Lowe is on the cusp of bursting into North Queensland's star-studded forward pack, according to Northern Pride coach Jason Demetriou.
The wide-running forward has been one of the most consistent performers for the Intrust Super Cup leaders since arriving in Cairns last season.
He was on form again on Saturday night, crossing for two tries and pulling off a try-saving effort in Pride's 38-12 win over Central Capras at Barlow Park.
"Lowey has been very consistent for a long time now," Demetriou said.
"I know every week he's not far off getting picked to play first grade and he got picked a month or so ago and was outstanding on debut.
"I know that if results don't go their way I'm sure he will get called back in, or if there is an injury."
Goondiwindi-born Lowe progressed through the lower ranks at Sydney Roosters before moving north at the beginning of last season.
The junior Kangaroo spent most of his debut season playing for the Pride, stuck in a back-row logjam that includes Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo.
He made the most of his opportunity, winning the Intrust Super Cup's rookie of the year award under coach Dave Maiden.
Origin absences opened the door for Lowe in round 12 this season and he scored a try in the Cowboys 31-12 loss to the Gold Coast.
"He's really progressed mentally as well in terms of his attitude towards footy and preparation and his focus towards the game has got a lot better," Demetriou said.
The coach was full of praise for his side following a "clinical" win over the 11th-placed Rockhampton team.
The Pride were forced to work hard to keep their perfect home record intact and register their seventh-straight win.
Despite Capras' position on the ladder, the Jason Hetherington-coached team came out full of gusto and posted the opening try.
From there the class of the home team took over as they ground their way to a comprehensive win.
"There's a lot of sore boys (in the sheds)," hooker Jason Roos said after the match.
"And the boys even said 'I don't know how they are that low on the table because they belted us'."
Replacing injured captain Ty Williams, Davin Crampton scored another two tries to join fullback Hezron Murghaas the team's leading tryscorer.
NORTHERN PRIDE 38 (Davin Crampton 2, Ethan Lowe 2, Semi Tadulala, Joel Riethmuller, Ricky Thorby tries; Shaun Nona 5 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 12 (Joshua Benjamin, John Clayton tries; Brent Crisp 2 goals) at Barlow Park.
The wide-running forward has been one of the most consistent performers for the Intrust Super Cup leaders since arriving in Cairns last season.
He was on form again on Saturday night, crossing for two tries and pulling off a try-saving effort in Pride's 38-12 win over Central Capras at Barlow Park.
"Lowey has been very consistent for a long time now," Demetriou said.
"I know every week he's not far off getting picked to play first grade and he got picked a month or so ago and was outstanding on debut.
"I know that if results don't go their way I'm sure he will get called back in, or if there is an injury."
Goondiwindi-born Lowe progressed through the lower ranks at Sydney Roosters before moving north at the beginning of last season.
The junior Kangaroo spent most of his debut season playing for the Pride, stuck in a back-row logjam that includes Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo.
He made the most of his opportunity, winning the Intrust Super Cup's rookie of the year award under coach Dave Maiden.
Origin absences opened the door for Lowe in round 12 this season and he scored a try in the Cowboys 31-12 loss to the Gold Coast.
"He's really progressed mentally as well in terms of his attitude towards footy and preparation and his focus towards the game has got a lot better," Demetriou said.
The coach was full of praise for his side following a "clinical" win over the 11th-placed Rockhampton team.
The Pride were forced to work hard to keep their perfect home record intact and register their seventh-straight win.
Despite Capras' position on the ladder, the Jason Hetherington-coached team came out full of gusto and posted the opening try.
From there the class of the home team took over as they ground their way to a comprehensive win.
"There's a lot of sore boys (in the sheds)," hooker Jason Roos said after the match.
"And the boys even said 'I don't know how they are that low on the table because they belted us'."
Replacing injured captain Ty Williams, Davin Crampton scored another two tries to join fullback Hezron Murghaas the team's leading tryscorer.
NORTHERN PRIDE 38 (Davin Crampton 2, Ethan Lowe 2, Semi Tadulala, Joel Riethmuller, Ricky Thorby tries; Shaun Nona 5 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 12 (Joshua Benjamin, John Clayton tries; Brent Crisp 2 goals) at Barlow Park.
