Arrival of King can help Josh too
Rival rake’s NRL pedigree sure to benefit Chudleigh
AN NRL return is still very much on Josh Chudleigh’s radar, and a key Townsville signing could help him get back to rugby league’s main stage.
The Blackhawks’ acquisition of former Cowboys, Eels and Dragons hooker Cameron King has given the green outfit two high-quality options in the No.9 jumper, each able to work around the experienced forward pack at their disposal.
Chudleigh's hopeful comeback to the NRL will begin once the ISC gets back underway, and in the meantime he will be looking to bounce off King as much as possible.
While their pairing will make for an intriguing pre-season battle to decide who assumes the round one dummyhalf responsibilities, the 26year-old views it more as a learning opportunity than a competitive one.
Whatever Chudleigh can take from King’s game he will look to implement – particularly in leadership areas – but should an NRL side come knocking he said there is one crucial element he will bring to the table.
“Just enthusiasm. I’ve been cut short in my NRL career so to get a second chance I wouldn’t take anything for granted and give it my all,” Chudleigh said. “Not many people thought I could play football at that level again, so it was a nice little reward for me to get back to how I was playing before the injuries.
“When we go to training it’s just good to have another high-quality player there to help improve each other’s skills. I don’t go out thinking I’ve got to try and be better than him at training, it’s all about working together and building off each other.”
Chudleigh has not featured in first grade since his one and only appearance for North Queensland in 2016.
Serious knee injuries have derailed both his chances to impress at the top level and in the Intrust Super Cup, but a year without football has him as fresh as he has ever been.
Nevertheless, 2020 has been another hard year for the talented rake who Blackhawks football operations manager Adrian Thomson rates as the best player in the Queensland competition.
“He’s probably just trying to make sure I stay around a couple more years,” Chudleigh laughed, “but it’s good he has that confidence in me, so obviously I’ll try to repay him as well with a premiership next year.
“The body is feeling good, but my knee was sweet two years ago. It’s more affected me not being able to play footy and push for a first-grade spot again.
“It hasn’t helped me at all, it’s another year of bad luck, but there’s worse things happening in the world than us not playing footy.”