‘Hawks ready for final
While they scored nine tries across the 80 minutes, including a double to Cowboysbound Jordan Lipp and a hattrick to winger Jesse Yallop, it was a different part of the Blackhawks performance that impressed their mentor.
Despite being up by 30 points with 10 minutes to go, the Blackhawks continued to
turn up in defence on their line to repel a desperate Falcons side.
It was an emphatic statement aimed directly at grand final rivals Wynnum Manly that the Blackhawks refuse to give up.
“It is the standards we have had all year that we have tried to uphold,” Elliott said.
“The group know that
those efforts matter whether we are 40 points up or two points.
“I thought our forward pack has gotten better and better in this finals series, our line speed is really good.
“They are supporting each other and we are bending the line time and time again.”
Elliott was adamant he would have his work cut out narrowing his squad to a 17
man grand final side. Fullback Dylan White, who was rested with a hamstring complaint at the weekend, is expected to be fit to play and young gun Luke Jack could return from a week off with concussion.
“This finals series we have had to lean on just about the entire squad,” Elliott said.
“It really has been a group effort to get us to this point.
“I know everyone is disappointed when they can’t play, but they should hold their heads high knowing we would not have made it (to the grand final) without them.
“There is a lot of competition particularly in the pack.
“They are only young but they are forcing me to have a good think about who to put in the grand final side.”