Chudleigh running to new heights

BLACKHAWKS hooker Josh Chudleigh has taken his running game to new heights in 2021, however he has diverted from taking any credit ahead of his side’s clash with the Northern Pride.

The one-time Cowboy has averaged 91 metres across the opening three rounds of the Intrust Super Cup, and he said that was courtesy of his daunting forward pack.

Even in a losing cause against Norths Devils, the 26year-old ran more than anyone in the Townsville pack, finishing with 126m.

Chudleigh said the way the game had evolved in the sixagain rule era had opened the floodgates for attacking dummy-halves to strut their stuff, but only when their engine room afforded them the opportunity.

He will be relying on the likes of Sam Hoare and Jordan Kenworthy to continue providing quick play the balls against a Pride outfit featuring North Queensland behemoth Heilum Luki and PNG representative Rod Griffin.

“Maybe the rule changes (have influenced me), but I think I’m pretty lucky to play in the forward pack that I’ve got,” Chudleigh said.

“We’ve got a lot of big strong boys, in attack we’re winning play the balls which is allowing me to run. I can’t take too much credit for it, it’s my job to run when the big boys give the opportunities.

“We’ve versed (the Pride) in a trial game and they definitely did win the ruck. They’re a big team as well, it will be a good physical challenge for us up the middle.

“Hopefully we can move the ball around a bit and tire the big fellas out to get some joy through the ruck.”

For Saturday’s northern rivalry at Jack Manski Oval, the main change to come out of the Blackhawks camp is Daejarn Asi, who will slot in at halfback in the absence of Jaelen Feeney.

Feeney’s presence in the casualty ward puts the 22-man squad close to tipping points, with Cameron King, Patrick Kaufusi, Joe Boyce, Bacho Salam and Moses Meninga all missing in action.