DREW DR AWS HIGH DEFENCE MARKS

HE may not have gone on a scoring spree, but Townsville Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf says Jordan Drew has proved his worth as a Queensland Cup standout.

Drew, who was signed to the Blackhawks from Cronulla before the mid- season transfer deadline, received lavish praise from Woolf in the wake of the Blackhawks’ grinding 12- 6 win over North Devils last weekend after containing former Blackhawks centre Delouise Hoeter.

Hoeter parted ways with the Blackhawks at the end of last season and was clearly on a mission against his old team on Sunday, which Woolf was expecting.

But Woolf had full faith in Drew to rise to the occasion and Drew didn’t let Woolf down as he dented Hoeter’s first visit to Jack Manski Oval as an opposition player.

“A bloke that stands out straight away for me is Jordan Drew, I thought he did a terrific job,” Woolf said.

“Delouise is a good centre and he’s been the Queensland Residents centre this year and he’s with a lot of confidence.

“He played with a lot of energy and he would have come up here with a point to prove, as do all players who come back up here.

“I thought Jordan did a great job of shutting him down and he gave Delouise no opportunity at all.

“Defensively he was strong and he had a few really strong carries with the ball as well.”

Drew is one of two former NRL players signed by the Blackhawks before the June 30 deadline, with former Broncos and Brisbane Norths forward Francis Molo joining the Blackhawks late last week. playing

Norths coach Mark Gliddon believes Molo will make the most of his move to Townsville.

“He’s a really lovely fella Francis and I hope he gets his opportunity up here at the Cowboys,” he said.

“Greeny might give him a chance because he’s been terrific for us this year and it’s probably the best shape he’s been in.

“As we all know he’s had a few things going on in his life for different reasons.”

The Blackhawks get their first bye of the season this weekend and could enter the Q Cup’s top four if the Mackay Cutters beat Easts Tigers on Saturday.