DEPARTING BLACKHAWK CLASS HAND KEYS TO KIDS
BLACKHAWKS coach Aaron Payne will put his faith in the club’s emerging stars in 2022, as a host of experienced campaigners call time on their days in Townsville.
Following the retirements of captain Sam Hoare and veteran prop Sione Lousi, the green outfit will lose at least two more key figures, with another pair undecided on where their futures lie.
Former Cowboys under 20s captain Kieran Quabba will move to the Gold Coast with his partner in what Payne described as a “lifestyle change”, while fullback Josh Hoffman will also move to southeast Queensland with his family.
Outside back Bacho Salam is reportedly being targeted by NRL clubs, while Sam Martin-savage is yet to confirm whether he will go around again next year. Payne said the ethos the likes of Quabba brought to the squad every training session and game day would be particularly missed once pre-season training kicked off again in November.
“He’s never the guy that’s going to get the headlines or accolades, but he’s the one that is super reliable and is consistent and very professional,” he said.
“He has gotten everything out of his body for the year. He’s been a great servant on the club and puts his body on the line every week.
“He’s only 90-odd kilos playing in the middle, but gets every ounce out of his body he can.”
While the departing class of 2021 will leave a massive leadership void, Payne was confident he had the men able to stand up. The likes of Shaun Nona, Josh Chudleigh and Jaelen Feeney will all come into contention for the captaincy next year, and a wealth of young up and comers will have a greater chance to cement themselves in senior rugby league.
Due to an injury toll that Payne admitted he had never experienced in his career – either as a coach or a player – a group of under-21 aces were given debuts and extended runs before they may have been expecting.
Soon-to-be Cowboys young gun Jordan Lipp scored a hat-trick in his maiden Queensland Cup appearances, Benn Campagnolo scored a matchwinning debut try playing on the wing as opposed to his usual spot in the backrow, and Nathan Barrett went from fringe forward to 80 minute incumbent from rounds five to 11.
But it was halfback Aaron Moore who perhaps announced himself loudest to the state competition.
Fresh off not being re-signed to the Cowboys, Moore went from under-21s’ chief conductor to the Blackhawks’ main marshall when the likes of Nona and Kyle Laybutt were sidelined. He played six matches – both as a starting halfback and off the bench – and Payne said the 20-yearold epitomised what 2022 could hold for the club.
He confirmed that squad retention would be his first priority when settling on his 2022 brigade, before then looking to recruitment if need be.
“I thought he (Moore) was a perfect example of someone that has got the development required and when he got his opportunity he took it with both hands,” Payne said.
“He’s well and truly up to it and that gives me excitement moving forward to have a kid like Aaron around next year. He’s certainly stood up and played some really good footy.
“We have some really exciting kids coming through. I thought they handled themselves really well, and for a lot of them they’re certainly up to it and they’re only going to improve as they physically get stronger.”