COOK CARES FOR LITTLE THINGS

BLACKHAWKS under- 20s fullback Adam Cook knows all too well that they can’t take anything for granted during the finals ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with the Falcons.

Cook was part of the Blackhawks squad which took out the Queensland Cup Colts minor premiership last season only to fall heartbreakingly short with a 20-16 loss to Norths in the grand final.

The young Blackhawks were again the most consistent side during the regular season in 2019 to finish in first place, but Cook said they were treating tomorrow’s semi-final like a fresh start.

“It’s always good to finish on top, but we’ve had a couple of people come and talk to us about not being too happy with the minor premiership because the job’s not done yet,” he said.

“People always talk about the little things that win big games so defence is very important for us.

“We do work a lot at training on our defence. Normally we try to bash teams up and beat them through the middle and then our outside backs can finish it off.”

Cook is one of five Blackhawks backing up from last year’s under-20s squad, but the halfback has shifted to the custodian role in recent weeks.

He admitted the shift was more out of necessity after the Blackhawks were struck down by injury, but the Charters Towers product said he enjoyed the freedom.

“I like playing on both sides of the ruck. When I was playing halfback I could really only stick to one side, but it’s a lot more running (at fullback) and I’m enjoying it,” Cook said.

“I have played halfback most of my life, but if what the team needs is me at fullback then I’ll play there.”