Toia’s Trio Of Individual Honours
Monday, August 24, 2026
Leaving the Mendi Blackhawks end of season presentation with full hands, Creedence Toia took home almost as many awards as he’s played positions in 2026. But after stints at centre on the wing and even in the halves he got a crack at his preferred position fullback, and and flourished. Form which sparked Townsville’s revival from easy beats to a top eight team and potential premiership threats. His outstanding performances saw the number one, become a clear top choice for the club’s player of the year, even with a round remaining in the Hostplus Cup. The 25 year old who also named Best Back and voted the Players’ Player praised his teammates for making his transition to new surroundings an easy and enjoyable experience.
“Obviously came into a brand new environment, but the boys made me feel pretty much at home straight away. It was a seamless move which allowed me just to sot of focus on what I need to on the field. It’s only my first campaign here but I already feel like I’ve been at the club for a few years.”
Toia triumphed with Burleigh in 2025 but made the move to Townsville to be closer to his partner and North Queensland NRLW player Jasmine Peters. He himself is on the Cowboys radar having played an NRL pre-season trial in February before showcasing his talents in the black and green, he’d previously displayed for the Bears and Souths Logan prior to that.
“It’s a goal of mine to play NRL, this year I’ve really been picking the brain of my teammate Paul Roache, who’s been there and done that… I probably annoy him too much but he’s got a great footy IQ and I’m forever discussing with him little parts of my game I can improve to try and take myself to that next level.”
Toia has scored 19 tries in 19 games and has 10 try assists, stats he wants to add to not only against Norths but during the month of September during a what he believes can be a deep finals run.
“I think we’re all playing pretty well together now at the right time! We took a little while to gel and form a few combinations but we’ve shown in the second half of the year we can beat any team when we’re on, and leading into the finals we’ve just got make sure we’re playing our best footy together as a unit.”
Eddie Hampson had a big enough lead in the race to be named Best Forward for him to receive the award with a match hand. The backrower’s been a powerhouse on the edge and his strong surges close to the tryline has seen him cross for seven tries. Hampson has been a workhorse playing every game, the majority of which he has pumped out 80 minute efforts.
Cooper Cox missed multiple games for the Mendi Blackhawks Mal Meninga side however the hooker’s work rate and willingness to do the tough stuff, which often goes without plaudits, earned him the Coach’s Award. Taj Lateo was a standout selection for both the Players’ Player selection and Player Of The Year gong. Among the playmaker’s highlights were a pair of match winning field goals, the second oh which won Townsville the Premiership.
