By DAVID ROWLANDS
THE NORTH SHORE TIMES - 25/2/2005
Harold Horder, back in the days when he was a famous winger who was instrumental in Norths’ two first grade premiership victories, in 1921 and ‘22.
Two of the greatest names in rugby league history will feature for North Sydney tomorrow on what shapes as a significant day for the club.
Mitchell Pearce and Brad Horder will make their competition debuts for the Bears when the Harold Matthews Shield begins against South Sydney at Redfern Oval.
Pearce is the son of Wayne, the Balmain and Australian legend who resides on the North Shore, while Horder is related to Harold Horder, the famous winger who was instrumental in Norths’ only two first grade premiership victories in 1921 and ‘22.
Pearce.
Pearce and Horder will play five-eighth and fullback respectively in an under-16s side that Bears general manager Greg Florimo has heralded as a “very exciting crop of local juniors”.
Former Hills District coach Steve Sullivan will have his first game in charge of the team, while Central Coast identity Greg Richardson will take the reins of the SG Ball (under-18s) for the first time, also against the Rabbitohs.
Two other names that could hold the key to Norths’ revival in the Premier League will wear red and black for the first time later in the day.
The first material evidence of the Bears’ alliance with the Melbourne Storm will be present at Leichhardt Oval when experienced forwards Jamie Feeney and Ian Donnelly turn out in a trial game against Balmain.
Feeney joined the Storm for this season following a long career with Canterbury, while Donnelly has had stints with St George Illawarra and Manly.
Melbourne’s management has indicated that as many as four of their contracted players will be available to Norths, who are now their feeder club, each weekend.
Feeney and Donnelly will fly up to Sydney today and train with Norths for the first time this afternoon, tackle the Tigers, then return to Melbourne.
The Balmain game is the last opportunity for players to impress new Premier League coach Gary Freeman, following convincing wins over Cessnock in warm-up matches for both the top two grades last Sunday.
The Bears’ squad will then be cut from 33 to 22 or 23 ahead of the opening NSWRL competition game tomorrow week.
Norths kick-off the Premier League on March 5 against Parramatta at Cabramatta Sports Ground.
The Jersey Flegg won’t play for points until a fortnight later, when they meet St George Illawarra in Wollongong.
The first outing at North Sydney Oval for both teams is scheduled for Sunday, April 3 against Newcastle.