Northern Pride: Cup gains and losses for 2022

Julian Christian is home again.

After eight long years away from Cairns, the former Ipswich Jets playmaker is rediscovering his love of rugby league after signing with Northern Pride.

Speaking following a stunning Round 1 club debut against his old side – in which Pride ran away with a 26-6 victory over the Jets – it is clear that being back in north Queensland is working wonders for the 24-year-old.

While he has many fond memories of his time at Ipswich, he just knew he’d been away for too long.

“I’m born and bred here,” Christian said.

“I grew up playing the Edmonton Storm, but then I left Cairns in grade 10 to go to Kirwan State High School in Townsville.

“From there, I went straight to the Broncos under 20s and then to Ipswich for Cup. It was bang, bang, bang.

“I didn’t get to come home much and I just got to the point where I needed something new. I was feeling really homesick.

“Even when I was at Ipswich, when my footy was going good, it’s because my home life was good too.

“When I’m having a good time off the field, footy takes care of itself. I’m already feeling that here.”

Christian said he had been waiting for the right time to leave and it presented itself midway through last year when he moved back home to play for the Innisfail Leprechauns in the CDRL A-grade competition.

The talent back also got a job at his former high school, Bentley Park College, working as a teacher aide and helping with their rugby league program.

He’s surrounded by family – his brother, sister, grandparents, aunties, uncles and nephews. And when he pulled on that Pride jersey in Round 1, it just felt right.

“It was all the small things I was missing out on like watching my nephews play footy, missing birthday parties and family things,” Christian said.

“But now I’m back and I’m reconnecting with my roots. That’s my drive. I’m at my old high school … my family couldn’t be happier that I’m home.

“Wearing that jersey for the first time … it was a pretty special moment and it’s been a long time coming.

“As a kid, I always wanted to play for the Northern Pride. They’ve welcomed me with open arms.

“I really just want to spend more time with family and have a good year on the field.

“Nothing feels as good as playing in front of family.”

Christian is among a host of new faces at the club, with the likes of Will Partridge and Joey Ratuvakacereivalu also joining from the Redcliffe Dolphins.

It was Christian, playing at fullback, who scored the first try of the Pride’s 2022 campaign, but he said their attack wasn’t their major focus.

After keeping Ipswich scoreless for the first 70 minutes of their season-opening clash, Christian said the Pride have been hard at work on their defence and wanted to carry that throughout the rest of the year.

“I feel the team played very well considering it was our first time playing together,” Christian said.

“We defended really well and that was a big focus of ours.

“We dug in and got that done. We know this year that if we defend well, the attack will come and it panned out just like that for us.”

Christian once again donned the No.1 jersey for Round 2, when the Pride went down in an entertaining match against Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Iona College in Brisbane.