"There is a different feeling in the players," said Northern United coach Dallas Waters ahead of the trip to face Cudgen Hornets tomorrow afternoon.

Northern United lost to the Mullumbimby Giants 16-12 at a wet and heavy under foot Crozier Field, Lismore, last Sunday and Waters admitted he was disappointed as his new club should have beaten the club he coached in 2018.

"We did not kick a goal in five attempts and we played poorly in some aspects of the game," Waters said.

The lead changed between the two clubs and Northern United scored tries through Fred Pitt, Denzel Dangerfield and Oral Monaghan.

"It was Round 1, there were quite a few different players, a little rustiness but there is a different feeling among the boys now," said Waters.

Waters had had the players training hard in Goonellabah during the week and said there was a different game plan for the Cudgen match.

"We are ready," he said.

Brett Kelly has returned to Northern United and will benefit from the drier conditions tomorrow. Photo: Simon Mumford

Northern United team to face Cudgen, Ned Byrne Oval, Sunday, 3pm

1. Brett Kelly; 2, Ant Skinner; 3. Clarence Kelly (captain), 4. Fred Pitt; 5. Denzel Dangerfield; 6. Trevor Bolt; 7. Roy Bell; 8. Djaan Jarrett; 9. Dennis Smith; 10. Jirra Breckenridge; 11. Joe Gordon; 12. Dan Taylor; 13. Theo Hippi. Reserves: 14. Jeff Skeen; 15. Grant Brown; 16. Alwyn Roberts; 17. Allan Mackenzie

NRRRL First Grade Round 2, Sunday, 3pm kick-off

Marist Brothers v Ballina, Crozier Field, Lismore;

Cudgen v Northern United, Ned Byrne Oval, Kingscliff;

Byron Bay v Mullumbimby, Red Devil Park, Byron Bay;

Tweed Coast v Casino, Les Burger Field, Cabarita Beach;

Murwillumbah v Bilambil, Stan Sercomb Oval, Murwillumbah.