Top 15 performers from Blackhawks U17, U19 trial weekend vs Northern Pride

A host of junior Blackhawks have moved closer to securing Rd 1 jerseys in the Cyril Connell, Mal Meninga and Harvey Norman competitions after dominating performances in Tully.

Townsville Blackhawks Cyril Connell Cup U17s train during the 2024 pre-season. Cooper Cox. Picture: Clancy Blacklock / Blackhawks Media

Hooker Cooper Cox was the Blackhawks under-17s top performer in a four tries to one trial victory over the Northern Pride in Tully on Saturday.

An experimental line-up saw multiple players deployed in various positions over the 60 minutes but Cox’s sure tackling was a constant, earning the praise of coach Nathan Norford.

“Our senior boys who played last year did their job pretty well,” Norford said.

“Cooper Cox was probably the standout, at the hooker position. He was very good ball with the ball and without.”

Cox has officially earned the team’s No.9 jersey and will sit out Tuesday night’s trial against a visiting Pacifique Treize U17 team, made up of players from New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and France.

Backrower Taakoi Benioni and centre Eneliko Savelio were strong carrying the ball and applied strong defensive pressure, Norford said.

Taakoi Benioni of the 2023 Kirwan Bears. Picture: Kirwan SHS

BLACKHAWKS MAL MENINGA CUP UNDER-19s

The Blackhawks under-19s went down three tries to two in slippery conditions.

Forwards Ashton Lafferty and Loranzo Fono made positive impressions on new coach Luke Harlen while outside backs Tekelu Mene and Davidson Benoni were potent.

Former Kirwan State High playmaker Logan Brookes provided a highlight moment of the day with a dazzling individual try in the second half.

Blackhawks Tekelu Mene. Picture: Evan Morgan

A running five-eighth as a schoolboy, Brookes is in the lead to wear the Blackhawks No.1 jersey in the new-look Mal Meninga Cup.

“The effort from the guys, they kept putting in,” Harlen said.

“They stuck to what we’ve been practising all season and worked hard for each other.”

BLACKHAWKS HARVEY NORMAN WOMEN’S UNDER-19s

It was a moment bigger than sport when Cowboys NRLW prospect Brandy Yallop returned to the field after two years stuck watching from the sidelines.

The Blackhawks under-19s fullback fought her way back from a devastating knee injury to play out all 60 minutes of Saturday’s 36-4 trial win over the Pride in Tully.

Coach Rob Hall said Yallop’s successful return had set an early benchmark for the highlight of the year.

“After two years out of the game, Brandy coming back and just getting to play some footy was one of the highlights of the day,” Hall said.

Kirwan Grizzlies 2022 fullback Brandy Yallop. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

“She had plenty of family there to support her so she was pretty happy with that. We were looking at resting her through the back end but she felt really good and wanted to stay out there.

“She was a little bit emotional when she got to see her mum and her dad afterwards. That’s what you play footy for, moments like those. It was really great to see Brandy come through two years of hard slog to get out the other end. The best part is she’ll only get better from here and she didn’t look like she’d lost anything. She’s an impressive person and a pretty good footballer too.”

Esther Mikaele and Chloe Watson set a strong platform in the forward pack while centre Ana Malupo was among the most impressive backs.

“Our forward pack was good. We played in quarters and our two front rowers Esther Mikaele and Chloe Watson were involved in the start and the back end quarters as well and they were really, really good,” Hall said.

“The first quarter and last quarter we had our probably round one team out there and they looked pretty good.

“Ana Malupo was good in her first stint going over there in the centres. We’re feeling pretty confident.”

BLACKHAWKS HARVEY NORMAN WOMEN’s UNDER-17s

The Blackhawks under-17 girls enjoyed their own win over the Pride, 28-4.

Coach Bec Petersen said Chloe Maxwell recorded an “amazing” debut in Blackhawks colours, splitting time between centre and second-row.

“Chloe played amazing,” Petersen said.

“She started in the centres and moved into second row. She played 45 of 60 minutes, hard hits, good runs, great support. She played a great game all round.”

Fellow centre Olivia Dagge was fearless in defence and did not leave the field, while prop Maryanne Tutavake was a “wrecking ball” when injected off the bench.

“Olivia played the whole game. Outstanding actually. She was a player we hadn’t really seen play yet. She got really involved, great support, wasn’t afraid to make contact. She was really outstanding.

“Maryanne came off the bench and was literally a wrecking ball. She had a lot of strength and hard hitting.”

“Olivia Fletcher was our five-eighth, playing out of position. She’s usually our hoooker but she took control of the team and made things happen.”

Originally published as Top 15 performers from Blackhawks U17, U19 trial weekend vs Northern Pride