Blackhawks provide ex- Bronco with new direction
FORMER Brisbane Broncos forward Francis Molo will make his debut for the Townsville Blackhawks this week in their clash with regional rivals the Cairns Pride.
A return to football will be a welcome distraction for Molo, who last week was involved in a Brisbane Coroners Court inquest surrounding his involvement in a fatal tackle on Sunshine Coast player James Ackerman
Molo has played the majority of the season for the Norths Devils but joined the Blackhawks on the eve of the June 30 transfer window as he chases a fresh start at the Cowboys feeder club.
The inclusion of the 22year- old in place of Kieran Quabba is the only change to the Townsville Blackhawks side that took down Norths a fortnight ago.
After last week’s bye, the Blackhawks will surge into Saturday’s night fixture at Jack Manski Oval well rested and chasing a fourth straight win.
Things have been much tougher for the Northern Pride in recent weeks, with the Cairns- based club falling to their seventh straight defeat last round.
The club travels south hoping to break through for their first win against the Blackhawks, but will need to improve drastically on their last start 30- 14 loss to the Devils.
Coach Ty Williams said 35 missed tackles was the most alarming statistic of the weekend, although the Pride did not earn the right to attack either.
“The realisation is that if you dish up that performance at that level, you’re going to get into trouble,” he said.
Kienan Grogan- Hayes has retained his place at fullback for the Pride despite a few handling errors against the Devils. Williams said it was something you had to expect for such a young player still learning the ropes.
“He’ll just brush it off his shoulder,” Williams said.
“Obviously the couple of errors he did make, that’s part and parcel with a 19- year- old.
“He had four errors but he still clocked up 200 metres, fairly handy for a 19- year- old kid so I’m impressed with him.
“I’m happy where he’s headed.
“We just need to keep a level head on him now.”
Jared Allen will play in the halves if fit, while Gideon Gela- Mosby has been named on an extended bench, which could leave Shawn Bowen as
Yesterday’s UBET dividends
the unlucky omission if the Cowboys release the winger. Townsville Blackhawks 1. Carlin Anderson 2. Ty Carucci 3. Jordan Drew 4. Davin Crampton 5. Jonathon Reuben 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Michael Parker- Walshe 22. Oshae Tuiasau 9. Anthony Mitchell ( c) 10. Sione Lousi 11. Blake Leary 12. Andrew Niemoeller 13. Jordan Kenworthy 14. Kierran Moseley 15. Francis Molo 16. Ross Bella 17. Temone Power Northern Pride 1. Kienan Grogan- Hayes 2. Shawn Bowen 3. Javid Bowen 4. Bradley Stephen 5. Marcus Jensen 6. Jordan Biondi- Odo 7. Ryan Ghietti ( c) 8. Sheldon Powe- Hobbs 9. Connor Jones 10. Darryn Schonig 11. Nathan Wales 12. Graham Clark 13. Patrick Mago 15. Troy Kapea 14. Colin Wilkie 16. Tom Hancock 17. Keelan White 18. Gideon Gela- Mosby 19. Jared Allen