Revealed: Rugby League Townsville and District A Grade affiliations for all 43 Blackhawks in 2024

Officials from A Grade’s bottom two clubs of 2023 have praised the introduction of a player draft system for facilitating a more even distribution of talent. Read where all 43 players have signed.

Blackhawks winger Ratu Rotavisoro was drafted by the Burdekin Roosters. Picture: Evan Morgan

Officials from Rugby League Townsville’s bottom two clubs of 2023 have praised the introduction of a player draft system for facilitating a more even distribution of Blackhawks talent in 2024.

For the first time A Grade clubs received exclusive negotiating rights for Blackhawks talent according to their ladder position, enabling clubs to compete with the league’s heavyweights to sign players.

In previous seasons local or wealthier clubs enjoyed an advantage in attracting elite players.

The new system, modelled on the NFL and NBA drafts, has levelled the playing field by awarding selections in reverse of last season’s ladder.

First Look: Blackhawks Squad Training. Chris Gale. Picture: Evan Morgan

A pool of 11 players new to Townsville were available to be drafted, with the remainder of the squad permitted to re-sign with their existing clubs.

Western Lions selected Parkes, NSW backrower Will Wardle with the first overall pick after ending 2023 with A Grade’s worst record.

Burdekin, who finished seventh, selected English prop Christian Gale second overall.

“I’m happy with the new system,” Burdekin president Mick Brombal said.

“Last year we had three Blackhawks and we didn’t really see them, so to have a player (Gale) actually come down and train with us just lifts the club and lifts the boys.

“It’s a great thing, I think.”

Western Lions committee member Jacob Buss echoed those sentiments.

“It’s an improvement on previous systems, definitely,” Buss said.

Lions, Roosters and Norths Devils were the only clubs awarded multiple picks.

Lions drafted Rabbitohs train-and-trial centre Harry Quinlan, Roosters drafted winger Ratu Rotavisoro and Norths drafted two props, Denzal Tonise and Tyreece Tonga.

WHERE ALL 43 BLACKHAWKS HAVE SIGNED FOR 2024

NEW PLAYER DRAFT

Pick 1.01 Western Lions: Will Wardle, edge forward

Pick 1.02 Burdekin: Christian Gale, middle forward

Pick 1.03 Norths: Denzal Tonise, middle forward

Pick 1.04 Herbert River: Jayden Sharpe, middle forward

Pick 1.05 Centrals: Richard Holani, middle forward

Pick 1.06 Souths: Nicholas Halalilo, edge forward

Pick 1.07 Charters Towers: Jaman Rio, outside back

Pick 1.08 Brothers: James Tamou, middle forward

Pick 2.01 Western Lions: Harry Quinlan, outside back

Pick 2.02 Burdekin: Ratu Jope Rotavisoro, outside back

Pick 2.03 Norths: Tyreece Tonga, middle forward

* RLTD clubs for Cade Maloney (middle) and Patrick Kaufusi (edge) are to be determined

BROTHERS, 10

James Tamou playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in 2023. Picture: Supplied.

Blackhawks contracted: Gehamat Shibasaki (centre), James Tamou (prop), Eddie Hampson (edge), Sean Bourke (edge), Lachlan Lerch (hooker), Trey Valentine (middle)

Blackhawks train-and-trial: Lennix Tovo (outside back)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (club): Bingen Balanzategui (edge), Nick Brown (middle), Kalifa Faifai Loa (outside back)

CHARTERS TOWERS, 6

Charters Towers’ Corey Walker. Picture: Evan Morgan

Blackhawks contracted: Jake Bourke (half), Josh Abbott (edge), Joel Baldwin (hooker), Jaman Rio (outside back)

Blackhawks train-and-trial: Matua Robinson (outside back)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (club): Corey Walker (middle forward)

CENTRALS, 6

Blackhawks contracted: McKenzie Baker (fullback), Richard Holani (middle), Tyreece Woods (outside back), Jesse Yallop (outside back)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (club): Jack Pettit (edge), Matthew Wright (utility)

SOUTHS, 5

Blackhawks against Capras at Jack Manski Oval. Blackhawks Jaelen Feeney. Picture: Evan Morgan

Blackhawks contracted: Jaelen Feeney (half), Kyle Laybutt (utility), Nicholas Halalilo (edge)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (new or returning to Townsville): Josh Williams (hooker)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (club): Curtis Dempsey (hooker)

WESTERN LIONS, 4

Blackhawks contracted: Jake Riley (outside back), Hary Quinlan (outside back), Will Wardle (edge)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (new or returning to Townsville): Bernard Lewis (outside back)

BURDEKIN, 4

Burdekin’s Jayden Hodges. Picture: Evan Morgan

Blackhawks contracted: Dudley Dotoi (outside back), Jayden Hodges (hooker), Ratu Rotavisoro (outside back), Christian Gale (middle)

HERBERT RIVER, 2

Blackhawks contracted: Jayden Sharp (edge/middle)

Blackhawks train-and-trial (club): Eliot Zenon (outside back)

NORTHS, 2

Blackhawks contracted: Denzal Tonise (middle), Tyreece Tonga (middle)

Originally published as Revealed: Rugby League Townsville and District A Grade affiliations for all 43 Blackhawks in 2024