Woolf says team is own worst enemy
TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf has described his side as their own worst enemies following Saturday’s 20- 18 defeat to the Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve.
The Blackhawks struggled to hold on to the ball against the unorthodox Jets – completing at just 45 per cent – which meant they were starved of possession in the stifling heat.
Despite their poor handling, the Blackhawks were still in the game until the final minute after a late try to Kalifa FaiFai- Loa, but Woolf conceded they didn’t play to their usual high standards.
“We certainly made it tough for ourselves because we were just way too loose with the ball and we lacked a fair bit of discipline,” he said.
“We just didn’t have enough footy and didn’t respect it when we did have it. You beat yourself when you’re executing the way we were.”
Former Kirwan High star Julian Christian tested the Blackhawks early with a deft kick behind the line for winger Wes Conlon to score Ipswich’s opening try.
Marmin Barba soon extended the home side’s lead and a penalty just before halftime saw the Jets go up 12- 0.
The Blackhawks had looked out on their feet in the first half, but they made a strong start to the second, with Johnathon Reuben only nar- rowly denied a try in the corner before Frank Molo barged his way over to get them on the board.
Jaelen Feeney soon had things back level at 12- 12 after slicing through Ipswich’s defence with a big dummy to score under the posts, but the deadlock was short- lived.
Carlin Anderson couldn’t clean up a kick at the line and Rory Humphreys pounced to claim a try before another penalty goal saw the Jets go up 20- 12 with nine minutes to play.
The visitors gave themselves a chance when Feeney kicked for a flying FaiFai- Loa in the corner and Anderson nailed the tricky conversion attempt, but they ran out of time to snatch the win.
The Blackhawks will return to Townsville for their first home game of the season against the Northern Pride on Saturday night and Woolf was confident they could turn things around.
“We can take some positives out of the fact that we were still in a position to win that game even playing as poorly as we did,” he said.
“That’s a sign of the character and the quality we’ve got. I don’t think we’re ever going to get beaten by big margins because we’ve got a real quality and character about the side.”
Captain Andrew Neimoeller was forced off in the second half after a head knock and did not return, but he is expected to play this weekend.