Fensom bent on return
THE Townsville Blackhawks are set to welcome back workhorse Cowboys forward Shaun Fensom this weekend as he makes his long- awaited return from a broken leg.
Fensom has been out of action since last year’s grand final when he had to be stretchered from the field after just three minutes following a sickening collision in a tackle.
The 29- year- old still has to prove his fitness, but after originally pushing for a Round 1 return, Fensom is determined to get back on the field when the Blackhawks host the Norths Devils at Jack Manski Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Fensom played two games for the Blackhawks early last season after signing with the Cowboys and they could use his experience in their forward pack against the in- form Devils.
Captain Andrew Niemoeller will miss up to four weeks with a shoulder injury while lock Joe Boyce is facing suspension for a shoulder charge.
Coach Kristian Woolf expected it would take some time for Fensom to get back to his best after such a lengthy spell, but he said the veteran would still be a valuable inclusion.
“He’s extremely tough – that’s his best attribute – and he plays tough with and without the ball. That certainly rubs off on the blokes around him,” Woolf said.
“We’d be more than happy to include him and try and help him get back to his best footy.”
Back- to- back wins have seen the Blackhawks climb to fifth on the Queensland Cup ladder, but Woolf knows they’ll face their toughest challenge against the Devils.
“You don’t get any better opportunity to really test yourself and see where you’re at than playing the competition leaders after seven rounds at home,” he said.