Nationals glory beckons for Blackhawks Mal Meninga side
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Following an outstanding win in the Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final over the Norths Devils the Townsville Blackhawks are now on their way to the 2016 National Junior Final.
Coach Dick Walsh said following the grand final that the win was “something that we have worked very hard for and something that we are very proud of”. It was a win made even more special given that it was the third win in a row for the Townsville side in the Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final.
The 38-16 Grand Final win was business as usual for the structured and slick Blackhawks outfit as they clocked up a 6 tries to 3 victory that saw Sam Martin, Michael Carroll, Marshall Hudson, Jayden Stephens, Emry Pere and Man of the Match Duarne Dempsey all cross for tries.
Blackhawks Captain Jacob Bourke spoke to the QRL following the match and credited a strong culture and a hard-working coaching and support staff for the team’s success.
This coming weekend the Blackhawks will face SG Ball Champions the Penrith Panthers at Albert Bishop Park on Sunday from 1pm. The match can be viewed LIVE via the QRL Livestream Page. Opponents Penrith made it to the national finals after their 25-10 win over the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball grand final over the weekend, marking their first state title victory since 2006.
Coach Walsh said that the team will be preparing as normal, “working to stay consistent and do what we’ve been doing all season.”
Including a “video review of our match from the weekend…. a skills session and back to training as usual,” he said.
The Blackhawks Mal Meninga Cup have named the following players for the National Junior Final:
- Marshall Hudson
- Mick Carroll
- Samuel Martin-Savage
- Kurt Wiltshire
- Thomas McCagh
- Oscar Carter
- Jacob Bourke
- Jack Althaus
- Julian Christian
- Emry Pere
- Brett Anderson
- Nathan Barrett
- Corey Horsburgh
- Duarne Dempsey
- Campbell Duffy
- Jack Glossop
- Jayden Stephens
- Yaza Stephen
