JENSEN OUT TO CAP OFF DREAM ‘HAWKS RUN
Bowen boy determined for a title before Brisbane journey
IF this is to be Corey Jensen’s Townsville swan song, it will be with a heavy heart.
From the proud Bowen boy to the faithful Cowboy, he now only has one goal left to achieve in North Queensland – deliver the Blackhawks a maiden title.
Jensen capped off a remarkable career in the green jersey last week when he became the club’s most capped player in its history.
Before taking the field he said the nerves truly took hold, as he knew the importance of the milestone.
He will don the No.13 jumper at Jack Manski Oval to take on the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in what could be his last appearance on home soil.
An inaugural Blackhawk, the 27-yearold had not played a game since the NRL’S round 12, trapped within the Covid bubble restrictions and unable to force his way back into the Cowboys’ line-up.
But each day he was training relentlessly. With each tackle he made and each hit up he took, there was a purpose behind it – to be ready for when his chance came. Jensen said after some discussions with North Queensland coach Todd Payten, he knew his future as a long-term Cowboy would not happen, eventually securing a two-year deal with the Broncos.
But still he wanted to ensure he was there to be called upon if needed. While he said it was a challenging period navigating the bubble’s limitations, there were several emerging forwards in the squad struggling more with the restrictive environment.
He needed to draw on his experience and help push them through what was a mentally draining situation.
“We’re football players so we’re paid to play football, so not having that secondtier competition if you’re not playing in the NRL is tough,” Jensen said.
“I know I probably can manage it a bit better than the younger blokes for the sheer fact I have the experience. But I saw the guys there finding it tough at times.
“It’s like mini pre-season when you’re not playing. You’re going to training and getting flogged to try and replicate that game fitness in case you’re called upon.
“It can be a bit numbing at times and tough for those guys not playing, so you just have to think of it as if the opportunity comes you have to be ready to go. That’s how I was taking it, so I knew when the Blackhawks started up I was ready.”
It did not take long for Jensen to hit his straps last week, churning out 192 running metres, four tackle busts and 21 tackles in the 26-all dogfight with Tweed Seagulls.
The hardworking lock admitted it was a unique feeling for him after the game, having never played in a drawn contest.
But Jensen was confident after finally getting a hitout he would emerge from the sheds a more dangerous prospect for today’s Women In League round.
Jensen’s wife Shannen and his young family will move to Brisbane at season’s end, and the 58-game Cowboy said the sacrifices of her and his mother would fuel him once he took the field.
“It’s mixed emotions, me and my wife have been here our whole lives. Moving to Brisbane is a big step for us, but it’s a change as good as a holiday. It could be really good for us, and we’re looking forward to that change and seeing what the future holds,” Jensen said.
“My mum and wife have been huge contributors to my career. My wife has been by my side since my career started. I can’t thank her enough for her sacrifices.
“She wanted me chasing my dreams and said she will always be there.”
While there is plenty in Jensen’s future to look towards, he will leave the Blackhawks with memories to last a lifetime.
He recalls earning his first start in 2016, a year in which he said injuries enabled him to get a run “before I probably would have”. It proved to be the season that thrust him into the Cowboys’ frame.
Striving for a new contract at the start of 2021, Jensen put his university studies on hold.
Already with an exercise and sport science degree in his pocket, Jensen said he would pursue business qualifications upon his arrival in Brisbane, with a post-rugby league goal of running his own fitness centre. For now, a breakthrough Intrust Super Cup trophy is all that is on his radar.
“It will be more for life after footy, I’ve always loved the sport industry … and really want to try to use the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my time to give back to kids aspiring for similar things to me,” Jensen said.
“That’s hit home for me, that with my knowledge I can give back. (But) I know moving forward I won’t be in Townsville next year so I want to finish the year with a bang.”