Sea Swift Northern Pride has announced its first major capture for the 2016 Intrust Super Cup season with the signing of talented half-back Brayden Torpy from Gold Coast Titans Under 20s.
Torpy, 20, a former Queensland Maroons Under 18 representative and Melbourne Storm Under 20s player, will replace the retiring Sam Obst in the No.7 Pride jersey.
Torpy has strong links to Far North Queensland, with his father and uncle having played for Cairns Brothers in the 1980s.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity I’ve now got at the Pride,” Torpy said.
“My old man is from up there and also captained Cairns in the Foley Shield, and I’ve got grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins and heaps of family who live in Cairns, so I can’t wait to come up.
“I’m looking forward to playing against men on a regular basis, and hopefully helping to steer the Pride to another grand final.
“Obviously I’ve got big shoes to fill with Sam (Obst) leaving – he’s left a big impact on the club and is a legend at the Pride.
“But I’m keen to learn off Joe and what Sam has done, and try and get the boys around the park.
“I feel I’ve got a strong kicking game and I’m a bigger half so have some size about me, and I’ll need that in the Intrust Super Cup, which is such a good, tough comp.
“Most people know the Pride as a successful club, and I’ll be doing my best to keep that going. I can’t wait to get started.”
Northern Pride head coach Joe O’Callaghan said he was delighted to bring Torpy to Far North Queensland.
“I’m really excited about signing Brayden,” he said.
“I did a lot of research for the half-back position to fill Obst, and instead of a short-term fix with another experienced 7, I’ve gone for a young guy that I believe could lead this team around the park for a few seasons.
“I first coached Brayden in some junior rep teams in Brisbane when he was 17, and have tracked him during his time at Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans.
“What has impressed me most is how coachable he is, and his willingness to always want to improve his game.”
O’Callaghan believes Torpy, who is 187cm tall and weighs 93kg, will add some quality muscle to his side’s defensive line.
“Compared to some other halves coming out of Holden Cup, Brayden has great physical presence, so I feel he will be able to handle the jump to Intrust Super Cup against men,” O’Callaghan said.
“We’re really looking forward to having Brayden with us in 2016, and I’m sure Pride fans will see the best of his ability next season.”
O’Callaghan added that he expected to make several new signing announcements over the next few weeks as he finalises his exciting 2016 Intrust Super Cup squad.
Pride’s Intrust Super Cup squad will start preparations for next season when they meet at an induction day in Cairns on Saturday, October 31, before officially starting pre-season training on Monday, November 2.
