Backrower shines in new role for high-flying TRL A-grade premiers

From 80-minute ironman and grand final star to interchange injection – Gatton Hawks gun Leonard Thomas shines light on his radical role change. Get an inside look at the big move here.

Gatton Hawks Leonard Thomas runs at Valleys Corey McGrady during the 2024 Hutchinson Builders A-grade grand final at Toowoomba Sports Ground. Picture: Kevin Farmer

From 2024 premiership winning star to ‘riding the bench’ Leonard Thomas could be forgiven if he felt a little angry with his new role this season.

The rampaging Gatton Hawks backrower however is far from angry.

In fact Thomas is quite happy with his new role off the interchange bench every week this season.

His new role is a far cry from the highs of last season when Thomas played nearly a full game most weekends.

“We had a great (2024) season everything came together and winning the final was pretty special,” Thomas said.

“We knew we’d have a target on our backs this year so we pretty much got to work straight away in the off-season, knowing we’d have to take our game up another level.

“Jon (Hawks coach Jonathan Flint) came to me in the off-season to talk about some changes he wanted to make.

“Basically he wanted some more aggression and energy off the bench to help the team.

Leonard Thomas in action for Gatton during the 2024 A-grade grand final. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“This role, I think it really suits my character. I play with energy and a little bit of aggression and I want to be a guy that leads and inspires by example.

“It’s not just me though, if you look at our bench anyone there could be starting.

“We have a great squad and everyone has bought in – putting the team first.”

The move has already paid dividends for Thomas and the Hawks.

With his team unbeaten and averaging 49 points a game, Thomas is leading all points scorers in the Hutchinson Builders A-grade competition.

“It’s been excellent start to the season,” Thomas, who has 38 points to his name this season, said.

“We have great coaches and we’re playing some really good footy so far.

“It’s early days though. We have a long season ahead of us and it’s going to take the whole, the whole club to keep performing at this level.”

Gatton’s clash with Wattles, who are also unbeaten in their first four games, headlines an exciting round 5 of competition.

The Hawks play host to the Warriors at Cahill Park Sporting Complex on Saturday night from 6.30pm.

OTHER A-GRADE MATCHES: Oakey vs Highfields (Saturday at Oakey, 6.30pm), Souths vs Goondiwindi (Sunday at Gold Park, 2.30pm), Pittsworth vs Dalby (Sunday at Pittsworth, 2.30pm) and Valleys vs Warwick (Sunday at John McDonald Sports Complex, 3pm).