Hoare’s last run ends in defeat

HOARE informed his Townsville teammates in the week leading up to their elimination final loss to Souths Logan Magpies he would retire at season’s end.

It was a decision made after advice from doctors flagged that his troublesome knee could no longer withstand the demands of elite sport.

The 30-year-old prop has endured a torrid time on the injury front throughout his career, one which included 21 NRL appearances for North Queensland.

Ever since he suffered a season-ending knee issue playing for the Cowboys’ under-20s side, Hoare has been in a constant battle to take the field each campaign.

ACL tears in 2016 and 2018 prevented him from pushing for a NRL comeback, and meniscus damage sustained this year proved to be the last straw.

With a long future ahead of him and his wife, Townsville Fire ace Micaela Cocks, and daughter Hazel, the outgoing captain said his desire to think beyond next year made his choice a necessary one.

“I’m still motivated to play, but doctors said it was probably a good idea to hang the boots up and focus on getting the body right for after footy,” Hoare said.

“I had that meniscus issue and doctors have kind of said I am pretty much playing without an ACL. It’s going to put a lot of pressure on other structures in the knee, so for my long-term health I needed to have a think about hanging the boots up.

“I’m looking at the bigger picture as a reason to think about it positively. I get to spend more time with Micaela and Hazel.

“Playing rugby league is all about the mateships you create, and the Blackhawks have done a really good job from day one about building a positive culture. There are great people involved in the club.”

While Hoare can look back on his career satisfied with what he has achieved, there will be thoughts of missed opportunities.

Despite going into halftime against the Magpies up 22-10, an early Souths Logan flourish out of the sheds thrust the Blackhawks on to the back foot for the rest of the 30-24 defeat.

It has been a frustrating theme for the green outfit. Rarely has their attack faltered, constantly putting on enough points to win a contest.

However defensive lapses have leaked into their game, leading to a string of high scoring losses. With their season now ended, the wait for the club’s first title continues.

Hoare said if the rest of the squad remained largely intact for 2022, that breakthrough premiership was an inevitability, rather than a case of if.

And he said the feeling in the dressing sheds after Sunday’s loss suggested it would be the case, and would serve as motivation for the remaining players to tighten the screws off the ball.

“When we play near our best there’s not many teams that can go with us but unfortunately we haven’t done it consistently enough to be pushing for the top four,” Hoare said.

“The coaching staff definitely gave us enough information and coaching to defend well, but at the end of the day it’s up to us on the field to execute that.”