Upbeat Anderson keeps dream alive
WHAT was supposed to be a comeback year has become an opportunity to hit the reset button for Townsville Blackhawks flyer Carlin Anderson.
Returning to the Blackhawks for the 2020 Queensland Cup season after spending a year with the Mackay Cutters, it appeared it was all systems go for the former Cowboys first-grade squad member.
If there was any player who deserved a bit of luck it was Anderson, after suffering a torrid run of injuries during his two-year tenure at the Cowboys.
But just as he was about to rush out of the blocks in season 2020, along came COVID-19.
And just like that, the Q Cup season was over, and Anderson was back at the starting gate.
Not that you will find him cursing his luck.
“It’s actually been pretty good; I’m still working and I’m back at training with the Blackhawks,” Anderson said.
“I’m playing a bit of rugby (with Western Suburbs) to keep the body ticking — I played it in high school.
“The going was getting a bit boring there, but I love it here in Townsville and it’s where I met my partner.
“There is a lot to be grateful for and I’m happy with where I’m at for now.”
Anderson burst on to the Queensland rugby league scene with the Ipswich Jets and was a key weapon in the Jets’ Q Cup final win over the Blackhawks in 2015.
Picked up by the Blackhawks, Anderson made a good enough impression to be handed an NRL contract by the Cowboys.
But injuries curtailed his opportunities, and in 2019 he spent the latter stages of the Q Cup season playing for
Mackay before parting ways with the Cowboys.
The NRL dream is still alive for Anderson, who is expected to return to action for the Blackhawks next season.
“It’s good to be back around the players again and doing a bit of work at training,” Anderson said.
“I just want to be as fit as possible, and the goal is obviously to get myself into an NRL system. But right now the plan is to train here at the Blackhawks and get back to my best.”
He also attributes his positive outlook to his off-field work with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students at Kirwan State High School.
“I get to speak to them about different aspects of life and education, and it’s a very rewarding job,” he said.
“It’s one of the reasons why I love it so much here.”