BLACKHAWKS CUT DOWN IN INJURY BLOW
THE Townsville Blackhawks expect to be without playmaker Shaun Nona for up to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury in a blow ahead of Saturday’s grudge match with the Northern Pride.
Fullback Zac Santo remains a chance to play after leaving the field with a concussion against Tweed Heads last weekend, but Nona and captain Andrew Niemoeller have both been ruled out.
Niemoeller has been managing bone bruising in his knee and Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne said the injury had flared up in their loss to the Seagulls, meaning he would be sidelined again for at least a few weeks.
Nona was awaiting scans yesterday to determine the full extent of his hamstring injury, but he is certain to miss the clash with the Pride in Cairns.
The Blackhawks have been running with three playmakers this season, with Nona coming off the bench as a super sub, and Payne said it would be tough to lose his experience under pressure.
“All three halves have been playing well and deserve their spot in the team. I thought particularly his (Nona) game management was really good,” Payne said.
“His short-kicking game and his game management are what he was doing really well for the side and just giving us a lot of stability with his talk and control of the game.
“He’ll be a loss to us. He’s getting scans, so hopefully it’s not as bad as first thought and we can see him back with us as soon as possible.”
The Blackhawks won the first six clashes against their North Queensland rivals, but the Pride took the honours in both games last season and they’ve started 2019 with a perfect 2-0 record.
The Pride held the Hunters scoreless 24-0 in PNG last weekend, but Payne stressed that the Blackhawks needed to focus on their own performance more so than their opponents.
Townsville lived up to their premiership favouritism with a 34-6 opening round win over Ipswich, but they were brought back to earth in last weekend’s 24-16 loss to Tweed Heads.
“We still haven’t got our own backyard right yet,” Payne said.
“After round one everyone wanted to pat us on the back, but I didn’t think it was a true indication of a week-to-week game given their (Ipswich’s) style of play.
“Our completion rate from the trials and into rounds one and two has been around the 50 per cent mark which isn’t good enough.
“We need to focus on ourselves first and foremost.”
Blackhawks team to face Pride: 1 Zac Santo, 2 Michael Carroll, 3 Shaun Hudson, 4 Levi Dodd, 5 Kalifa Faifai Loa, 6 Kyle Laybutt, 7 Michael Parker-walshe, 8 Joe Boyce, 9 Krys Freeman, 10 Corey Jensen, 11 Jake Marketo, 12 Temone Power, 13 Thomas Gilbert, 14 Samuel Murphy, 16 Rod Griffin, 17 Kieran Quabba, 22 Sione Lousi.