Costigan cautious
TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks lock Neville Costigan has learned the hard way that getting ahead of yourself is never a good thing, especially in rugby league.
The Blackhawks are charging their way to a minor premiership with seven rounds remaining in the Intrust Super Cup regular season, leading the competition outright after dropping just two games this year.
They reasserted their dominance last weekend with a 50- 6 thumping of Norths Devils despite missing a handful of key personnel, adding further hype to their premiership credentials.
Costigan has experienced the same expectations in NRL, having been part of St George Illawarra’s minor premiership team of 2009 that was then bundled out of the first two weeks of finals.
The Dragons at the time looked sure things under new coach Wayne Bennett, and the shock of their sudden exit still rings with Costigan to this day.
“I remember that year with the Dragons and how we were the minor premiers and everything was going our way,” Costigan said. Among his teammates in the Dragons’ 2009 squad was current Blackhawk Ricky Thorby.
“It was a great way to end the year with the minor premiership, but then we got bundled out and it was over.
“You really need to take it one game at a time and not take things for granted, because it’s a tough competition.”
Costigan will play his 50th Intrust Super Cup game in Sunday’s televised game against the fifth- placed Easts Tigers, who edged out the Ipswich Jets 18- 16 last weekend.
Despite his experience with the Dragons, Costigan still believes the Blackhawks can achieve something special in their inaugural season.
“We’ve been pretty consistent all year and the depth we have is great,” he said.
“This weekend is going to be a good challenge for us, especially up the middle, and we’re definitely not expecting the same sort of result ( 40- 12 win) as last time.
“Easts will be wanting some revenge and they’ll be very keen to put on a good game in front of their supporters.”
Sun -day’ s game will be broad - cast from 1. 30 pm on Channel 9.