Blackhawks count on backrower to keep Seagulls grounded
TOWNSVILLE Bl a c khawks backrower Blake Leary returns from NRL duty tonight and every ounce of experience will count against an emotioncharged Wynnum- Manly side.
The Seagulls will tonight dedicate their Queensland Cup game in Brisbane to the late Graham Murray, who was set to coach Wynnum in 2013 before a heart attack.
Murray oversaw the Cowboys’ climb into the 2004 finals and 2005 grand final, in effect hauling North Queensland out of the shadows and into the NRL limelight. He also had an earlier stint as Seagulls CEO
“Wynnum requested a Saturday night especially for this round, so it goes without saying this game means a lot to them,” Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf said.
“They’re going to be primed for a good game and they’ll come out with a lot of energy so they’re going to be very hard to beat.
“They’re a good side with a lot of experience and I’m expecting us to encounter a lot more resistance than our last game.”
The Blackhawks will play an unchanged team to the one that thumped Tweed Heads 48- 18 last weekend, although Leary’s inclusion will result in second rower Jordan Kenworthy dropping to the bench.
North Queensland’s run of injury resulted in Leary receiving an unexpected call- up to NRL, playing four straight games for the Cowboys – three of those at starting hooker.
“He just gives us a little more experience,” Woolf said.
“He brings a great set of skills such as his kicking game, which is very handy for a second rower to have.
“He was forming a good combination with ( halfback) Michael Parker- Walshe on our left edge and it will be good to see them linking up again.
“Jordan Kenworthy has done an outstanding job there in recent weeks and he’s been very effective and I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of impact off the bench.”
Wynnum have lost their past five straight games but most of them have been close results, and their squad is full of NRL experience, including former Cowboys five- eighth Travis Burns, former Broncos contracted utility Mitch Cronin and Broncos allocated prop Aaron Rockley.
The Blackhawks were dominant for most parts of last weekend’s win over Tweed, but Woolf said Wynnum had more than enough quality to make the Blackhawks pay for lapses.
“Last week we probably weren’t as ruthless as we would’ve liked,” Woolf said.
“Wynnum have the players and experience to give us a very tough night if we drop off like that again, and they’re coming off a few losses, which they’re not very happy about.
“They’re going to fire at some stage and they’re going to be a big player in this competition as the year goes on and we just have to make sure it’s not this weekend that they get going.”
The Blackhawks go in with Leary, Corey Jensen and Kyle Laybutt making the Queensland Residents team, which also features Cronin and teammate Mitchell Frei.