Rd 17: Mendi Blackhawks Defeat Sunshine Coast Falcons

Monday, July 9, 2018

Kalifa FaiFai-Loa scores for the Mendi Blackhawks on the weekend. Photo Blackhawks Media

Blackhawks Media

The Mendi Blackhawks have returned to the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder with a 22-8 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday.

The day started off celebrating NAIDOC Week and the Indigenous Round with former Mendi Blackhawks player and Captain Anthony Mitchell, performing an Acknowledgement to Country with Aboriginal Dancers.

The visitors were first to put points on the board with a penalty in the 8th minute, but the home team were quick to strike back with a try to winger Kalifa FaiFai-Loa in the 17th minute, through a perfectly placed kick from Zach Dockar-Clar, in his first game back from injury.

Dockar-Clay put in a strong display on his return, with 1 try assist and scoring the second try of the game for himself,  which gave the home team a 10-2 lead at half time.

Carlin Anderson was next to score in the 51st minutes, also making a successful return from injury.

Both Cowboys allocated players Anderson and Justin O’Neill formed a solid defensive right side combination.

Scores remained unchanged until the visitors scored their first try of the game in the 75th minute.

Jaelen Feeney sealed the win for the home team in the 78th minute, finishing the try celebrations with a Shake-a-Leg, in honour of the Indigenous Round.

Coach of the Mendi Blackhawks, Kristian Woolf, said his teams defensive efforts is what is pleasing him the most.

“Our defensive efforts have been good, not only on Saturday, but for the past few weeks,” Woolf said.

“It is certainly giving us a better opportunities to win games,”

“It was a stop-start type of game, which doesn’t usually suit us, and at times with the ball we made it hard on ourselves, but it was our defence that looked after us.”

“There were a couple of players that really stood out for me,”

“Rod Griffin played big minutes in the middle, and was really impressive,”

“Jake Marketo also had some tough defensive plays, which resulted in saving a couple of tries,”

“And Zac Santo was terrific,”

“Each week he is getting himself more involved, and looking dangerous when he does,”

“It’s good to see him progress with the group.”

The Mendi Blackhawks are back at home this Saturday against the Ipswich Jets and Woolf said the team will be preparing for another tough game.

“It’s always a tough game against the Jets,” Woolf said.

“We are expecting a really good challenge from them, especially after their win on the weekend,”

“The Jets always play some of their best footy against us, so we have to make sure we are 100% ready.”

The Mendi Blackhawks will announce their team later in the week, with Captain Andrew Niemoeller in doubt after an ankle injury on the weekend.

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 22 (Kalifa Faifai-Loa, Zach Dockar-Clay, Carlin Anderson, Jaelen Feeney tries; Zach Dockar-Clay 3 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 8 (Samuel Wright try; Khan Ahwang 2 goals) at Jack Manski Oval.