Benn’s Blackhawks Return Inspired By Big Brother
Friday, January 30, 2026
Benn Campagnolo completed a dream Hostplus Cup debut in 2021, when he scored a match winning try for the Mendi Blackhawks in a round 7 last gasp home derby victory over the Mackay Cutters. The winger was rewarded with another appearance the following week, lining up against the Burleigh Bears.
“That feels like a long time ago now, but yeah since then I’ve been injured for a while, I haven’t even managed to play one full season. In 2022 I did my shoulder and I’ve had 2 stress fractures in my lower back. So yeah, 2023 I played one game, 2024 nothing, but then last year I got through a fair few games for Herbert River.”
13 in fact for the Crushers, which may be an unlucky number for some but for a few physios who had treated Benn it was 13 more than they expected. He himself had doubts of returning to footy, before benefiting from one activity in particular during his road to recovery.
“Yeah a couple of physios told me I wouldn’t play again, and yeah in 2024 I probably thought I couldn’t but I just love rugby league, so then I just got stuck into rehabbing and I did a bit of work in Pilates actually, and yeah it definitely helped.”
Benn’s major motivation behind having one more shot in the black and green is to share the field with his Brother Jack, after the experienced Hostplus Cup halfback signed for Townsville, and captained the team to a top four finish last year.
“Yeah that would be something special to do! Obviously did it a lot in the backyard as kids but do it at this level would be unreal. So yeah he was pretty keen for me to come back and wanted me to give it another crack, so yeah here I am.”
Townsville coach Terry Campese can’t quite see why last year’s local league player of the season wants to be anywhere near his older bullying brother though.
“I just want Jack to stop picking on him at training! (Laughs) No, I know it’s a big goal for them to get a game together so hopefully they can do that. That would be amazing for them, but something pretty special for the club as well.”
And that possibility is a step closer with Benn recently earning a promotion from train and triallist to fully fledged squad member for 2026. He’ll get a further chance to impress in a couple of trials, before the Mendi Blackhawks kick off their season against the Jets in Ipswich on March 8.
