Blackhawks Announce Further Signings
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The Townsville and Districts Mendi Blackhawks are delighted to announce ten further Player signings for the 2015 Intrust Super Cup Season:
- Rhyse Martin
- Lorenzo Ma’afu
- Mitchell Seri
- Nathan Norford
- Samsen O’Neill
- Wayne Ulugia
- Michael Parker – Walshe
- Nathaniel Bowman
- Jack Kelleher
- Zach Daly
Many of the new signings are local players or those who have played rugby league in the Townsville & Districts competition in the past. We are still finalizing our playing roster and there will be further announcements on the final roster in the coming weeks. Short player profiles below.
Rhyse Martin- Second Row
Proserpine born Martin signed with the Sydney Roosters in 2010 as a 17 year old. He was honored with the Captaincy of the NYC side in 2012 and promoted to the NRL squad in 2013. Martin spent time playing football in Townsville having attended Kirwan High for his senior schooling. He was honored with Queensland Under 20 selection in 2013.
Lorenzo Ma’afu – Prop
In 2008 Ma’afu made his NRL debut for the Canterbury Bulldogs and has also played first grade for the Parramatta Eels. The New Zealand born Prop has Tongan roots and is no stranger to Intrust Super Cup having played for the Ipswich Jets previously. Ma’afu is looking forward to having a chance to impress in for the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks in season 2015.
Mitchell Seri – Halfback
The Reigning 2014 Rod Ward Medalist for Player of the Season in the Townsville & Districts Rugby League competition has been rewarded with a contract with the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks for season 2015. Seri played all of his junior and senior football with the Herbert River Crushers. He has experience at Intrust Super Cup level having played 9 games for the Northern Pride in 2012 and hopes to continue his brilliant 2014 form next season.
Nathan Norford – Hooker
Townsville local Norford has big game experience having played for both the North Queensland Cowboys under-20s and also Wynnum-Manly in the Intrust Super Cup. The hooker played his junior football at Townsville Brothers and has also played the past two seasons of A-grade at Jack Manski Oval enjoying the spoils of the Premiership this season. Norford has also played representative football for the Queensland Rangers in 2014 where he received the Players Player award.
Samsen O’Neill – Centre/Wing
O’Neill has been under contract with the Cowboys since 2012 and has taken the field for the Under 20’s for three seasons until 2014. He played his junior rugby league for the Hughenden Hawks and hails from Port Olry in Vanuatu. O’Neill is also the younger brother of Melbourne Storm star Justin O’Neill and Vanuatu national team representative Paul O’Neill.
Wayne Ulugia – Fullback/Wing/Centre
New Zealand born Ulugia played junior football for the Papakura Sea Eagles before being lured to Townsville by the North Queensland Cowboys as a 14 year old. He made his NRL debut in 2013 and played four first grade games for the Cowboys during which he scored six tries including a double on debut against Newcastle. He holds the record for most matches played for the Cowboys Under 20’s side with 88 matches and also the record for Most Tries for the Under 20’s side with 50.
Michael Parker- Walshe – Five-Eighth
Parker-Walshe holds the record for Most Tries scored in one season with the Cowboys Under 20’s side scoring 24 tries in 26 games during season 2011 including two hat tricks. During this outstanding season he was part of the Kristian Woolf lead side who narrowly missed out on the Under 20’s NRL Premiership. The New Zealand representative also has Intrust Super Cup experience having played for the Tweed Head Seagulls in 2012. For the past 2 seasons the Sunshine Coast product has played for Townsville Brothers A Grade side.
Nathaniel Bowman – Halfback
Townsville product Bowman played junior rugby league for Upper Ross, before moving onto Sharks United and Townsville Brothers. His form in the Townsville & Districts competition led to contracts with the NQ Young Guns, Souths Logan and the Central Queensland Capras formerly known as the Comets. He experienced success with the Comets, winning Player of the Year in 2008 and steering the side to a Preliminary Final as captain in season 2009.
Jack Kelleher – Second Row
Kelleher has been a part of the Cowboys Under 20’s squad since 2011. During 2011 he represented Queensland as part of the Under 18s side to play NSW prior to the State of Origin. Kelleher played junior rugby league for the Western Lions prior to being recruited by the Cowboys.
Zach Daly – Utility Forward
Born in Townsville, Daly played junior football for Souths and Townsville Brothers and completed his schooling at Ignatius Park College. He was honored with the Townsville & Districts Player of the Year in 2011 and comes to the Blackhawks fresh and looking to impress having not played during the 2014 season.
