Beasley says Blackhawks must find it within themselves to turn tide Captain’s call to arms
TOWNSVILLE Bl a c khawks skipper Daniel Beasley says overturning last weekend’s dismal 22- 6 loss to Souths Logan is a matter of duty to the club’s loyal fanbase.
The Blackhawks play Central Queensland Capras in Sunday’s televised Queensland Cup game at Jack Manski Oval, and while the stage may be set for the Blackhawks to showcase their undoubted premiership potential to a statewide audience, Beasley is thinking closer to home.
A foundation Blackhawks player and also the club’s inaugural captain, Beasley says last weekend’s performance was his team’s worst of the year and led to deep soul searching.
“When we looked at the stats afterwards it was pretty simple to see where we went wrong,” he said.
“We had a 56 per cent completion rate and the penalty count was 9- 3 against us with about 15 minutes to go, so that tells the story really.
“In those circumstances you might be able to shaft a win now and then, but usually you’re made to pay.
“We were a bit dumbfounded with it, and especially disappointed given that we played probably our best game of the year against Wynnum- Manly in our last game.
“We had a bye after that and it probably wasn’t ideal, but by no means is that an excuse.”
To that end Beasley has hit the ground running at training along with his full strength squad, which is set to welcome back Davin Crampton from injury.
The former Gold Coast Titans contracted player was set for a comeback in the TDRL last weekend, but pulled up short in late fitness tests.
Even if Crampton misses another week the Blackhawks still possess arguably the Q Cup’s strongest team on paper, and certainly their strongest team for at least a year.
The Blackhawks endured a nightmare run of injury last year, in stark contrast to their current situation where players including Sione Lousi, Lee Jewitt and Kyle Laybutt have returned from injury to bolster the Blackhawks’ ranks.
“It comes down to whether they all respond to the circumstances at hand,” Beasley said.
“We can’t point at specific people, it’s more of a collective thing and it’s up to everyone whether they want to turn things around. We have to find it within ourselves, and we owe it to our supporters to get back to where we need to be.”
Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s game, with Cowboys allocations Laybutt and Corey Jensen expected to play despite travelling to Sydney as part of an extended North Queensland squad for tonight’s NRL clash against the Cronulla Sharks.
Sunday’s kick- off is 1.40pm, with gates opening at 11.15am ahead of the Paul Bowman Shield under- 12s game between Northern and Peninsula at 12.15pm.