Santo all fired up to shoot down Jets
BLACK HAWKS full back Zac Santo is adamant they’re ready for the pressure of sudden death football in this afternoon’s Queensland Cup showdown with the Ipswich Jets at Jack Manski Oval.
Jets co- coaches Ben and Shane Walker have already turned up the heat on the Blackhawks this week, saying that all the pressure is on the home side for their elimination final.
Townsville’s form has been patchy over the past month, winning just one of their past four games, while Ipswich stormed into the top six on the back of a five- game winning streak.
There will be no love lost between the two sides, who have developed a fierce rivalry since Ipswich shocked minor premiers Townsville to win the 2015 grand final.
Santo was part of that 2015 Blackhawks side before pursing NRL deals with the Raiders and Warriors and he said the rivalry with the Jets hadn’t softened in his time away from Townsville.
The Charters Towers product admitted the Blackhawks still had a few issues to address on the training paddock, but he said they would be raring to go for the do- ordie clash.
“This would make me happy beating them ( Ipswich) in this sort of game,” Santo said.
“It’d make me happier beating them in the grand final, but if we can knock them out – just as good.
“We’ve still got to work on a lot of the unforced errors and stuff like that. I think we made 17 errors last week ( against Wynnum Manly) so we’ve got to work on that, but I reckon we’re ready.
“I’m really excited to play some finals footy.
“It’s all or nothing footy, which is what you want as a player.”
Santo only returned to the Blackhawks in May after securing a mid- season transfer from the Warriors, but he’s quickly made the fullback position his own.
The 25- year- old was a prolific try- scoring winger during his last stint in Townsville, and was just as efficient during his time in a star- studded Cowboys under- 20s outfit featuring Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo, Kyle Feldt and Felise Kaufusi.
But Santo said he relished the extra responsibility as a leader and organiser in the No. 1 jersey.
“It’s a different feel to when I was here last time as a winger, but I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
“I’ve taken what Woolfy ( coach Kristian Woolf) has said on board and whoever’s in the backline with me, I’m just trying to get them excited to play.
“I’m still chasing a gig in the NRL, but I’ve got exactly what I wanted ( from the Blackhawks). I wanted to play fullback and play 80 minutes every week so that’s pretty much all I can ask.”
The Blackhawks under- 20s, who finished the colts competition as minor premiers, play their semifinal next weekend, and have earned the chance to progress directly to the grand final.
Kick- off in today’s Queensland Cup elimination final at Jack Manski Oval is at 1.10pm.
“IT’D MAKE ME HAPPIER BEATING THEM ( IPSWICH) IN THE GRAND FINAL, BUT IF WE CAN KNOCK THEM OUT — JUST AS GOOD. ZAC ZANTO