Cowboys legend James Tamou to play on with Townsville Blackhawks in 2024

James Tamou’s football journey isn’t over yet, with the Cowboys premiership-winner signing on to add his leadership and skill to a new outfit next season.

James Tamou isn’t done with rugby league yet. Picture: Getty Images

James Tamou’s football journey isn’t over yet, with the Cowboys premiership-winner signing on to help lead the Townsville Blackhawks rebuild under incoming coach Terry Campese.

Tamou was unveiled as the inaugural signing of the Campese era on Thursday morning, 12 hours after he was farewelled at the Cowboys Ball with the club’s person of the year award.

The veteran prop hinted “more footy” could be in his future during his acceptance speech, but with his 35th birthday approaching in December, that involvement was expected to come in the coaching ranks.

Tamou said a year spent mostly watching from the sidelines ensured his desire to play never diminished.

“It means a lot. The year just gone I was out with injury most of the year and watching footy the whole time, the fire I felt was still there and even now watching finals footy, I want to give it another crack,” Tamou said.

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

“This opportunity came up and I took it with both hands.

“Even if I wasn’t playing at the Queensland Cup level, I think somewhere along the line I’d still be playing.

“Four young boys at home and we just love our footy. We play in the backyard all the time and they keep me on my toes and keep me fit.”

Incoming Blackhawks coach Campese said Tamou was the type of player he wanted to build the club’s new era around.

Incoming Townsville Blackhawks coach Terry Campese with 2024 signing James Tamou. Picture: Supplied.

“He’s an exceptional football player, he’s a great human, he was awarded (Cowboys) club person of the year and that says it all,” Campese said. “If you’re winning awards like that then you want to be involved in your football club.

“He’s a great first signing and he’s going to be huge for this club. He’s a big fella with great skills and footwork, but more importantly he’s just a really good bloke.

“We want to surround this club with people like Jimmy and he’s going to lead the way off the field which is just as important as on it.”

Tamou said the former Canberra Raiders legend would bring a great understanding of how to build a winning culture.

“People love using that word culture but don’t really understand what it is. With age comes experience and with that culture you want to bring trust and a sense of belonging,” Tamou said.

“I remember playing against Campo and one thing that stood out, and still does, is that he’s a competitor.

“With that value comes all the processes of what it takes to win games. It’s getting the boys to understand that, getting the buy-in and getting the older ones and the leaders to understand his vision, so we can lead the way.”

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

Campese said he wanted to build the Blackhawks’ culture and community engagement with an emphasis on school visits, juniors and garnering local support.

“They’re very passionate here. The community is passionate about rugby league and we want everyone on this ride with us,” Campese said.

“I want to instil in the guys how important it is to be a role model in this community. If we’ve got the community on board and we get the young juniors striving to be a Blackhawk, and then a Cowboy, then the club’s in good hands.”

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

Of all the players Tamou is looking forward to playing alongside in 2024, he identified two of the premiership-winning Blackhawks under-21 middles as stars of the future.

“It’s crazy the amount of talent coming through. Big Jeremiah (Matautia) there is a young up-and-comer with a great attitude,” Tamou said.

“Coaches want to recruit on attitude and (then) teach the skill. Sometimes coaches may recruit on talent and not understand what a certain player brings.

“But Jeremiah and little (Jamal) Shibasaki – he obviously won a few awards this year – what he does on the field everyone can see but it’s what they do off the field.

“They understand how valuable it is to put every minute you have into training to make your game better. Those two middles have got a big career ahead of them and it’ll be a pleasure to hopefully play beside them again, but also to watch their career grow.”

Originally published as Cowboys legend James Tamou to play on with Townsville Blackhawks in 2024