Blackhawks bring Newcastle Knights backrower Eddie Hampson home to Townsville

A former Queensland U19s backrower has signed on to join the Blackhawks’ Queensland Cup revival after 12 months with the Newcastle Knights.

Former Queensland U19s backrower Eddie Hampson has signed on to join the Blackhawks revival after 12 months with the Newcastle Knights.

Hampson, 20, departed Townsville last year for a New South Wales Cup opportunity and has returned a reborn player.

The former Ignatius Park College centre turned backrower could always attack, but said the accountability and standards imposed by a pre-season with the club’s NRL team had rounded out the rest of his skillbase.

Now Hampson is ready to compete for a starting berth with his hometown club, a year on from winning its U21 player of the year award as a teenager.

“When they said I could come back I was over the moon,” Hampson, 20, said.

Former Newcastle Knights player Eddie Hampson (Edward) in action for the club's Jersey Flegg U21s side. Picture: Bryden Sharp Photography / Supplied

“I was a little bit lonely in Newcastle and I was looking at coming home for the year but I wasn’t sure if the Blackhawks would want me.

“I’m not sure how Happy (Adrian Thomson, football operations manager) heard but he called me up straight away, within a week of being back, and asked me if I was back for good and, if so, we want you.

Townsville Blackhawks Edward Hampson powers past Magpies Denzel Samoza to score try on Queensland Cup debut. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I was stressing about it a lot, coming back to Townsville. There’s nothing wrong with playing local league but when he said they’d be happy to take me back I was really relieved. I called my mum straight away.”

Hampson said his time in Newcastle had taught him what it meant to be a professional.

Rubbing shoulders with Origin stars Daniel and Jacob Saifiti had been influential but the main lesson on accountability was delivered by Dally M medallist Kalyn Ponga.

The pair had bonded over their common teachers and sports houses at Iggy Park but the Knights fullback didn’t miss when he caught Hampson cutting a corner on a drill.

“Ponga ripped into me,” Hampson said.

“We were doing a passing drill and he asked me how many reps I did, and I think I missed one. He stared at me and said you’re not missing reps, this is pre-season So he made me go back and get one rep in before we finished training.

“They’re big on getting through your work and getting it done. All the boys were like that. No one got angry about it but everyone kept each other honest.”

NRL 2023 QF Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders - Kalyn Ponga. Picture: NRL Photos

Those standards helped Hampson force his way into the NSW Cup in five matches.

Now he is ready to press his case for a permanent starting gig in Queensland Cup.

“I’d like to try and get a start in the team by round one but I just want to get as many games under my belt in Cup as possible,” Hampson said.

“I’d like to get used to playing around men but if the NRL comes at the end of this year or the year after, I feel like I’m still at a good age where I can crack it sometime soon.

“The dream is still there.”

The Blackhawks begin pre-season on November 1.

Originally published as Blackhawks bring Newcastle Knights backrower Eddie Hampson home to Townsville