DISRUPTION NO ISSUE FOR CLUB
TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks vicecaptain Jake Marketo believes his team can start the Queensland Cup season well despite a pre-season disrupted by the floods.
The Blackhawks have missed more than a week’s worth of full training because of the region’s major weather event, and were forced to cancel last weekend’s three-way trial against the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters.
The club will now play its first trial against the Pride in Cairns on February 23, followed by a clash against the Mackay Cutters on March 2 before a North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm trial.
The season proper kicks off for the Blackhawks on March 10 away from home against the Ipswich Jets, and the Queensland Cup draw has done no favours for the Blackhawks.
After the season opener are two away games against Tweed Heads and the Pride, before the Blackhawks finally host their first game on March 31, against the Burleigh Bears.
“I think it will be a bit tough not getting that week off before the first game of the season. Usually you get a bit of a break,” Marketo said.
“It will be tough with those away games as well, so it’s important we get off to a good start.
“I really think we’re going all right, it’s just getting the match fitness that will be a challenge.”
Marketo, who hails from Wollongong, said he had never experienced anything like the region’s flooding, which has now been described as a one-in-500 year event.
“It was scary,” he said.
“I was fortunate to have (Blackhawks halfback) Michael ParkerWalshe and his partner let me stay over their place for a couple of days.
“Some of the other boys are doing it tough, but we’re all standing by them and supporting them.”
This is not the first time Marketo has endured a disrupted pre-season.
Parting ways with the Dragons at the end of 2017 after playing 52 NRL games, Marketo signed with Romanian rugby union club Timisoara Saracens.
He stayed there for several weeks before returning to Australia and linking with the Blackhawks, who had offered him a deal before he went to Europe.
“This time I’ve had a very good pre-season heading into Christmas,” Marketo said.
“Last year I missed the fitness training before January, so that’s been a big positive this time around.
“Our depth I think is the biggest thing for us this year, we have a lot more of it, and I want to continue to play on that left edge.”
Marketo also praised new Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne for his handling of the club’s pre-season.
“He has a relaxed nature about him and there’s an easy going culture at the club at the moment,” he said.
“But we’re working hard and making sure we tick all our boxes before the season starts.”