England debut will honour my father
Cowboys rope in Anderson for two-year deal
emma.greenwood@news.com.au NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green finally has his man after Townsville Blackhawks fullback Carlin Anderson was yesterday announced as the Cowboys’ latest signing.
Anderson has been signed on a two-year deal and will replace Kalyn Ponga as the Cowboys’ back-up fullback from next season.
“I respect people’s opinions but it doesn’t change the fact that this is something that I’m very proud of.”
McQueen’s selection means he is no longer eligible to play for Queensland, something he said he came to terms with last year when he was unable to add to his six caps despite the Maroons being undermanned.
“With those boys that got suspended from the Origin system and those injuries they had, I was hopeful of getting a call-up into that Queensland team last year and it didn’t happen,’’ he said.
“That’s fine but I think it was the thing that made me realise that ship had sailed and it was time to move on from that.
“That was really disappointing but also really exciting that I get to go down a different path.
“It’s still something I’ve been thinking about over the last couple of days is that I’ll never get that opportunity to pull on that Maroon jersey again but I’ve done that and I absolutely loved it but the opportunity to play some international footy, I couldn’t pass that up.”
After being passed over by Bennett for last year’s Four Nations campaign, McQueen knew his time was likely to come when the Broncos coach rang last week to ensure he was still interested in playing for England.
“He called me on Friday and asked if I was still keen,’’ McQueen said.
“I called my old man and he was over the moon, he’s just as proud as I am and I’d imagine there’ll be a tear in his eye when I run out on the field.”
Green revealed he attempted to sign Anderson two years ago, only for him to sign with the Brisbane Broncos.
“We actually tried to sign Carlin a couple of years ago but he knocked us back … luckily I didn’t hold it against him,” Green said with a grin.
“We’re really pleased to see him come up here and really apply himself at the Intrust Super Cup level and it’s a great reward for hard work.
“He puts himself in the game and he obviously has some attacking flair and attacking talent, but it’s good to hear he recognises he needs to work hard on the defensive side of the game.
“It’s important these days that fullbacks are another defender for us, they’re not just back there to wait for the opposition to kick them the ball and I can see improvement in Carlin each week.”
Anderson, 21, never played a first grade game with the Broncos and last year suffered a severe facial injury when his jaw was broken in two places while playing for Broncos feeder team Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup.
Fast forward 10 months and Anderson is playing the best footy of his life with the Blackhawks.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind to get back into a full-time system, and that was my main goal,” Anderson said.