Captain Keen For Tully Tussle
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The Mendi Blackhawks last outing of the Hostplus Cup home and away season is in Tully on Saturday night. It’ll be the side’s second trip to the region in as many years after beating the Western Clydesdales at the Showgrounds last year. It’ll also be a return to his roots for halfback Jack Camagnolo who was born and bred in Tully. He’s been counting down the days, since hosts Tweed Seagulls decided to take the game North.
“It’s really exciting for the people there. Playing footy is pretty much what every young fella does there, they just love it. Even when they’re watching the Tigers A grade boys play it’s a big thing but yeah to have a Hostplus Cup game there, the whole town gets around it, it’s awesome, and we kind of get treated like superstars.”
Like Townsville’s team, Jack himself will be chasing back to back wins in Tully, after securing a victory with Souths Logan against the Northern Pride in 2023, on what was a special evening for the local.
“I’m sure we’ll have a one or two few beers with the spectators afterwards, hopefully celebrating a win. We’re trying to gain a bit of momentum going into the finals, and while we’ve already locked in a top four finish, we’re potentially playing for a spot in the top two and home final next week, so there’s plenty to play for, it’s certainly no dead rubber.”
The captain will have a close eye on the curtain raiser to the main game. St Clare’s School and Tully State School will battle it out in the Ken Hamill Cup.
“It’s a big thing between primary schools that I played in when I was younger, so that’ll be a massive match and I’m sure both sets of supporters will be more concerned about that result then ours!”
Mendi Blackhawks pathways manager Jaelen Feeney will run coaching clinics at both schools on the eve of the clash. Fingers crossed that match and the Mendi Blackhawks game is played in drier conditions than last year’s rain soaked Saturday. Although Jack’s worried what perfect weather may do to the crowd figure…
“Death, taxes and raining in Tully is what they say. But no the forecast is looking ok so if everyone’s not out fishing hopefully they’ll all be at the footy. We don’t want the weather to be too good though, otherwise yeah everyone will be out on the water instead.”
With a 6pm kick off… there’s potential to do both!
