COULD LOLO BE A GO GO?
Renewed Hawks now playing with an extra man Tongan wrecking ball may line up for Cowboys tonight
MANUNDA key forward Ezekiel Frank believes he now has his father with him every time he takes the field. Given the pedigree of his dad Jerry — a champion Northern Territory and Cairns AFL player — it could be the reason the Hawks have won the last three on the trot to progress from alsorans to almost certain semi-finalists. Jerry died earlier this month after a battle with cancer but Ezekiel has turned this negative into a positive on the football field. “I am playing for him and playing for my family ... it’s great,” he said. NORTH Queensland has not ruled out a late call up for Tongan steamroller Jason Taumalolo after he completed the club’s final training run today.
Taumalolo missed last week’s shellacking at the hands of the Knights after he sustained a partial tear to his plantar fascia, the tissue that runs the length of the foot.
Cowboys coach Paul Green described the injury as particularly painful, and suggested it remained touch and go as to whether Taumalolo would take the field.
The 118kg lock was named as 18th man giving him until an hour before kick-off tonight to prove his final fitness.
He would be a massive inclusion for the home side as they aim to put respect back into the jersey against a Panthers side playing for their finals hopes.
“We will see, he trained today but we are not going to take any silly risks with him either. Main Picture: STEWART McLEAN We will see how he pulls up,” Green said.
“He was out there for most of (the Captain’s Run). It is just more about whether he can manage the pain, it can vary in length on how long they take to heal.”
When asked whether it was something he could take a quick painkiller for before the game, Green said “probably not”.
John Asiata has been named to start at lock with Coen Hess shifting to the bench after playing in the centres over the past month.
“(Hess) plays back in a role he is more comfortable in, but in saying that he has done a good job under the circumstances,” Green said.
“Last week wasn’t a great day out for him, but he is back where he is more comfortable.
“I don’t really think (knocking the Panthers out of the finals race) gives us any satisfaction, it is more about playing in a way we are capable of and giving our fans something to cheer about.” WHO WILL COACH THE KNIGHTS IN 2020? PAGE 44