Passionate captain Josh Mongard insists the Norths’ fairytale is not yet complete and surprises still await in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup finals.
So long-suffering have Eagles’ fans been that merely making the semi-finals for the first time in 34 years should seem like winning Gold Lotto.
Not the full story, says hooker Mongard.
“It’s obviously an incredible achievement to make the finals after such a long time, for the club and everyone around it,” Mongard said.
“For the playing squad and coaches, it’s more a sense of relief. We’ve done it. That’s just the first step of the journey complete.”
There is not tougher test of their new-found steel than coming up against premiership juggernauts Brothers.
The two clubs meet at GPS Rugby Club on Saturday in the major semi-final while Easts and Wests will meet on Sunday at Bottomley Park in the knockout semi.
“Pre-season, we spoke of how long it’s been since the club has actually won the competition. It’s 50 years this season since we won the thing,” Mongard said.
“We’ve ticked the first box to make the finals. It’s a really good feeling but the job is not done yet. There’s still two or three games yet before our story is written.”
Mongard and influential halfback Mosiah Christian are two figures who know what a clash against Brothers means at the business end of the season.
Both are former Brothers players so they know the Brethren crank up the intensity for the “new season” that finals footy represents.
“Mosiah has been a big pick-up this year. He’s been here before in finals,” Mongard said.
“I was fortunate to be involved in Brothers’ 2023 premiership season. Ever since hoisting the trophy, it’s been a dream to do it again because I know how unbelievable that would be for Norths,” Mongard said.
He has been a heart-and-soul Norths forward since 2024 when he linked with head coach Dan Ritchie, the architect of so much of the Norths’ revival.
“I’ve followed Dan to multiple positions now. We met when I was 12-years-old at St Laurence’s College when he was a coach and a teacher,” Mongard said.
“I’ve always believed in his philosophy and he lives what he preaches. We share the same vision for this season.
“This journey hasn’t been a couple of weeks or this season. It’s been three or four years of hard work, people staying loyal to the club and driving standards on and off the field.”
To fully appreciate how good this season has been for Norths you have to understand how bad they were, not just for the odd season but over decades.
Take 1995. The club lost all 21 games and conceded 930 points. It wasn't even the club's worst run.
Club President Shaun McKinnon and 2026 Director of Rugby Phil Mooney have also given the Eagles a steady off-field rudder so often missing in the past.
This new-found strength at Norths can be self-perpetuating. Where once there were no heroes for Colts players to aspire to be, there are now young guns like flankers Charlie Cooke and Alex Watkins firing.
Young players love the gliding threat that Will McCulloch always provides in attack. Stalwart Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is a wonderful example of giving back at 35.
The former All Blacks prop passes on all his experience and calm.
Norths have thrashed University of Queensland more than once but they haven’t beaten Brothers over the past few seasons. There’s a draw and a one-point loss in there. There was the strong first 40 minutes when the clubs met early in the season and there have been thumpings.
Keeping their poise on Saturday in a semi-final will be a new challenge.
Brothers skipper Will Wilson knows the challenge that Norths present.
“Norths have had a really good season, especially Mosiah Christian. We know he runs the show,” Wilson warned.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose that last round against UQ but we took a lot out of that game to work on.
“We had a heartbreaking end to 2025 (when pipped by Bond University at the death in the grand final). That has been a really strong motivator for the crew.
“We’ve had a lot of players back and we are all wanting to go one better.
"Our Reds players are obviously huge for us. They are all very strong Brothers people who are as passionate as the rest about lifting the Hospital Cup."
Queensland Reds players Tim Ryan, Vaiuta Latu, Charlie Brosnan and Matt Faessler, who returned with 40 minutes last weekend, will play. Centre Josh Flook's call-up into the Wallabies squad for the injured Joseph Akuso-Suaalii means a decision on his availability will be made later in the week.
Brothers vs Norths. It's a new script for the finals and fans will lap it up.
