Gutsy Blackhawks forced to dig deep
BLACKHAWKS coach Aaron Payne has described the side’s last-gasp 22-18 win over Wynnum Manly at Jack Manski Oval as one of the best games he’s ever been involved with.
The Blackhawks had to play the entire second half with 12 men after utility Krys Freeman was sent off for an alleged headbutt, but they fought back from 12-6 down to snatch a memorable victory.
Winger Zac Santo scored in the final minutes after the Blackhawks chose to run the ball with the score locked at 18-18 and Payne felt the gutsy performance would do wonders for their confidence heading into the Queensland Cup finals.
“We certainly weren’t clinical but I don’t know if I’ve ever been involved in a game of football that the guys were so brave and tough. It makes you really proud as a coach,” Payne said.
“There’s a special feel among the group. We’ve got a good side and they just keep turning up for each other. They don’t want to let their mate down.
“I said to the group, you get more confidence out of a win like that than you would a really skilful, clinical win where you win by 20 points. A win like that does wonders for us.”
It was a horror start for the home side as the secondplaced Seagulls scored in the opening minute through winger Reece Hoffman after the Blackhawks misjudged a bomb on their line.
Halfback Sam Scarlett completed a slick right-side shift as Wynnum Manly extended their lead to 12-0 after 19 minutes before Blackhawks winger Kalifa Faifai Loa hit back moments later.
The Blackhawks were right in the contest down 12-6 at halftime, but they would be down a man for the rest of the match after Freeman was given his marching orders shortly before the break.
It didn’t stop Townsville as hooker Josh Chudleigh scored to make it 12-12 early in the second half, but the Seagulls quickly regained the lead as five-eighth Pat Templeman went the length of the field against the run of play.
Centre Bacho Salam gave the undermanned Blackhawks a chance when he sliced through off a short ball from halfback Shaun Nona to make it 18-18 with less than seven minutes left.
The Blackhawks set for a field goal in the final moments, but the Seagulls rushed up on centre Kyle Laybutt who shifted the ball right for backrower Temone Power to find Santo with an overlap.
Santo raced away to dive across in the corner and complete a stunning comeback over one of the competition’s heavyweights, which also ensured the Blackhawks will finish in the top four.
Freeman could be charged by the judiciary after his send off and Payne said the club would need to review the footage and consider their options. “I know ‘Freo’ and there’s not much malice in him so I don’t know what sort of sparked it, if it was just a bit of a brain explosion from him,” Payne said.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 22 (Kalifa Faifai Loa, Josh Chudleigh, Bacho Salam, Zac Santo tries; Shaun Nona 3/4 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 18 (Reece Hoffman, Sam Scarlett, Pat Templeman tries; Pat Templeman 3/3 goals) at Jack Manski Oval