Blackhawk feeling right at home again
T O W N S V I I L L E B l a c k h a w k s halfback Michael Parker- Walshe may be returning to familiar surroundings, but the club foundation player is entering a new chapter.
Parker- Walshe, as revealed by the Townsville Bulletin last week, has come out of Queensland Cup retirement and is set to play in the halves next season as the Blackhawks chase an inaugural premiership.
Retiring at the end of the 2017 Q Cup season alongside fellow inaugural player Anthony Mitchell, Parker- Walshe was part of the Blackhawks under- 20s coaching staff in 2018 and also played for Brothers in the Townsville and Districts Rugby League competition.
“I was still around the place for a fair bit last season. I never really got away from the club to be honest,” Parker- Walshe said.
“During the pre- season I was definitely on the right side of the fence, seeing the boys go through all that pre- season stuff was something I didn’t miss.
“But about halfway through the season I got a bit of an itch, just watching the boys play, and I sat on it for about three or four months.
“Once the season ended I approached the club and they were happy to welcome me back.”
Parker- Walshe will compete for a place in the club’s halves alongside the likes of Blackhawks under- 20s graduate Sam MartinSavage – who Parker- Walshe helped coach last season – experienced Q Cup campaigner Shaun Nona, Kyle Laybutt and Jaelene Feeney.
He will also play under a new coach in Aaron Payne, having played under foundation mentor Kristian Woolf for three years – plus another three when including his time in the Cowboys’ under- 20s system.
“It’s exciting times for the club; there’s a lot of new faces in the coaching staff and the playing group,” Parker- Walshe said.
“Woolfy was there for four years and did a great job for the club, but it’s good to see him get an assistant coaching role at an NRL club ( Newcastle Knights).
“For the Blackhawks to have Payney as Woolfy’s replacement I think is a great fit.
“Payney knows the region and he had success with the Cowboys under- 20s, and as long as the playing group buys into what he’s doing I think we’ll have a very good season.”
The Blackhawks were knocked out of the first week of last season’s finals, again falling short of the sought- after premiership.
Parker- Walshe was there when the Blackhawks suffered their biggest heartbreak to date, losing the 2015 grand final in their inaugural year.
But Parker- Walshe said the club was still among the Q Cup heavyweights.
“Success isn’t always measured in trophies and premierships,” he said.