O’Neill ready to plot his return
JON TUXWORTH AND SAMUEL DAVIS TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf hopes they can help dropped Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill rediscover the “enjoyment” of the game after confirming he will play Queensland Cup for the first time in three years tonight.
Boasting four Origins for Queensland and two Tests to his name, O’Neill will play reserve grade for the Blackhawks for the first time since 2015.
Just over 12 months ago the 27-year-old was playing at a packed Suncorp Stadium for the Maroons. Tonight, he will take the field against Northern Pride in front of a few hundred spectators in Atherton.
O’Neill was dropped for the Cowboys’ last game against the Warriors and has played like a man down on confidence.
He has scored one try in 14 games this year, and just two in 34 matches since the start of last season.
He is also off contract at the end of the year, but has a oneyear option in his favour for next season.
It’s a huge luxury for the top-of-the-table Blackhawks to enjoy, but coach Kristian Woolf hopes they don’t have his services for long.
“Just speaking to him, I think he’s ready to go and push his way back into first grade,” Woolf said.
“Our intention for him is he’s here for a week, plays very well for us and we play our part in helping him find some enjoyment in his footy.”
The Pride have made three changes with Tom Hancock, Bradley Stephen and Justin Castellaro all late omissions. Hancock failed a fitness test on his hamstring while Stephen and Castellaro will drop back to play for Kangaroos and Brothers, respectively in the CDRL. The trio make way for Cowboys Ethan Lowe and Javid Bowen while Shaun Bowen will likely go head-tohead with Queensland Residents star Kalifa Faifai-Loa.
Pride CEO Greg Dowling said while he welcomed the influx of NRL talent, it made for some tough decisions at the selection table.
“I really feel for Bradley Stephen because I’m a massive fan,” Dowling said.
“He’s a big body. Every week I say to him he’s knocking on the door.
“It’s a tough decision to leave him out.
“But he’s still got a wonderful career ahead of him.”