Happy with Larry
LARRY Seri says joining the Townsville Blackhawks is the best thing he’s ever done.
The self- described “water boy and clean- up boy” is a familiar face at Jack Manski Oval as he helps the Queensland Cup team in any way he can.
Seri had spent three decades in cricket – which his sons played – before Blackhawks operations manager Adrian “Happy” Thompson invited him to come back to rugby league for the team’s inaugural season in 2015 and he jumped at the chance.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Seri said.
“Just being around the guys and coming to training gives me something to do. I’ve retired so it’s really good having to come here and muck around and have a lot of good fun.
“You feel appreciated and that’s the main thing.”
Seri said the Blackhawks had made him feel part of the team from the start, singling out foundation players Dan Beasley, Anthony Mitchell, and Neville Costigan.
“They’re the original guys and they sort of welcomed me in. There’s no airs or anything about them. They’re just happy to see you and that was it, it went from there,” Seri said.
“We put a lot of crap on each other, it’s the best way. I give it and I can take it and they’re the same. They’re good blokes.”
The Blackhawks found immediate success on the field in 2015, claiming the minor premiership on their way to making the grand final where they lost to fierce rivals Ipswich.
Townsville has remained a force in the Queensland Cup ever since, making the finals every year, and Seri believed that success came down to having the right people driving the club.
“It’s just panned out great. First year and making the grand final was pretty awesome,” he said.
“It’s a great culture and that’s got to do with the leadership group, plus the coaching staff, and everything just flows on. It’s marvellous.
“Until the dear lord calls me away or ‘ Happy’ gets sick of me – I hope to be here forever.”