‘HAWKS PLUMB THE DEPTHS
Growing casualty ward cruels strong victory
MENDI Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne believes his side is excited for the challenge of knocking off the top side in the Intrust Super Premiership despite being forced to plumb the depths of their roster.
The Blackhawks have again been hit by a growing casualty ward after both Bacho Salam (shoulder) and Josh Hoffman (HIA) failed to finish the game in their strong 28-16 win over Souths Logan Magpies.
The flying Ferrari, Michael Carroll, will also be in doubt for their showdown with Norths Devils this weekend after he appeared to reinjure his thumb.
With fullback convert Jaelen Feeney yet to have scans on an elbow complaint, it appears the Blackhawks will be at sixes and sevens to fill their backline for Sunday’s clash at Jack Manski Oval.
But Payne said while it was a dent to their playing stocks, it had done little to quell the confidence in the Townsville outfit after they extended their winning streak to five games against the Magpies.
Despite starting slow and conceding two early tries, the Blackhawks fought back with three tries late in the first half before going on with the game after the break.
While Payne was adamant it was no excuse, he did mention the fact the Blackhawks had back-to-back long haul trips to Richmond for the annual Country Round clash.
“We just started flat,” he said. “We didn’t start the game great, we had a fair bit go against us but I was happy with the fact the boys hung in there and managed to shift the momentum and got into our groove.
“That is the pleasing part. We were far from our best, but we did what we needed to do to change the momentum of the game. We are finding ways to win. We are getting our mojo back and we still have plenty to work on.”
Payne said the club’s injured brigade had been sent for scans late yesterday, with a lot of uncertainty around the severity of the injuries.
But he admitted the best case scenario still involved a host of players being out for this weekend’s clash with the frontrunning Devils.
The return of Cowboys contracted players Kyle Laybutt and Riley Price in time for the weekend’s game was a massive boost, with the duo forced out of the Cowboys ‘bubble’ after the NRL reduced squads to 30 players.
With Carlin Anderson likely to go to fullback, Payne said he would be hunting for an outside back which could include former Blackhawk Cody Maughn who fielded an SOS from the club earlier this season.
“I think it will be all hands on deck for this weekend’s clash,” Payne said. “We also have the boys in the under-21s who are going well and could come into the squad.
“We will be a bit dented, but we are looking forward to coming up against some quality opposition. It is a good opportunity for us while we have momentum, we know we can compete with these better sides.”