TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
The Townsville Blackhawks have been super competitive since their entry into the Intrust Super Cup in 2015 where they secured the minor premiership in their first season and were beaten grand finalists. They haven’t missed a finals series since, and despite finishing 3rd twice with arguably one of the strongest squads in the competition, another Grand Final hasn’t come. 2019 is here and the Blackhawks have another strong squad and should be top six contenders again.
Some interesting players movements for the upcoming season in both directions. Premiership winning Shaun Nona heads back up north after his stint at Wynnum didn’t quite work out. His last stint in North Queensland ended in a premiership for the Northern Pride in 2014. Throw in Kyle Laybutt and Josh Chudleigh and they have a promising spine for the upcoming season.
On the downside they have lost the experience of Zac Dockar-Clay, and the speed of Jonathon Reuben amongst a steady stream of exits. But one of their big assets Dan Beasley remains to lead the pack.
Other points of interest for the 2019 season is a new coach in former hooker Aaron Payne who replaces foundation coach Kristian Woolf. The Blackhawks team also features Chippie Korostchuk – who is the leading try scorer for the Polish international rugby league team.
After the town’s recent flooding disaster, who wouldn’t begrudge Townsville a little on field success and joy in 2019.
Trials: Sat 23rd Feb – Northern Pride 28 Townsville 10
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Shaun Nona (Brisbane Broncos / Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Sam Hoare, Kyle Laybutt, Shaun Hudson, Josh Chudleigh (North Queensland Cowboys), Chippy Korostchuk, Ryan Lloyd, Nathan Trail, Michael Parker-Walshe (TDRL)
LOSSES: Andrew Davey (Parramatta Eels), Zac Dockar-Clay (Blacktown Workers), Jonathon Reuben (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Sam Foster (Easts Tigers), Jordan Kenworthy, David Munro, Ross Bella, Paul Byrnes, Brendan Santi (Sydney), Ty Carucci (Townsville Brothers), Davin Crampton (Western Lions), Jordan Drew (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
The men from Piggabeen head into 2019 looking down the barrel at another second half of the table finish, but that doesn’t mean they can’t improve on their 11th place finish from 2018 especially with the tie-up with the Titans. That NRL alliance saw a few decent players don the butcher’s stripes in 2018 – Konrad Hurrell and Bryce Cartwright so any poor performance in the NRL in 2019 could be a benefit for the Seagulls.
Their big loss is Brayden McGrady, but also some great Intrust Super Cup experience in Tristian Lumley and Sam Saville. Christian Hazard is a very good pick up for the Seagulls, the former Redcliffe Dolphin returning to the Intrust Super Cup from a stint with the Newcastle Knights.
Tweed Heads do have a shiny new logo for 2019, which could be a new lucky charm to see them fly higher in 2019.
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb – Burleigh 18 Tweed Heads 20
IN AND OUT
GAINS: John Palavi (Norths Devils), Christian Hazard (Newcastle Knights), Kurtis Dark (Newcastle Knights), Daniel Palavi (New Zealand Pt Chevalier), Kyle Kennedy (Newcastle competition), Stuart Mason (Illawarra Cutters)
LOSSES: Brayden McGrady (Penrith Panthers), Eli Levido (Illawarra Cutters), Tristian Lumley (Dubbo competition), Sam Saville (Burleigh Bears), Hiale Roycroft (Unknown), Sam Meskall (Tugan Seahawks)
WYNNUM SEAGULLS
Twelfth was a long way down for the Wynnum Seagulls in 2018 and they have set about correcting that downward trend with some good recruiting for the new Intrust Super Cup season.
Sam Scarlett will more than make up for the loss of Shaun Nona in the halves, and the Broncos feeder arrangement will likely lead to an influx of more quality than the ins list provided here. Richie Kennar is a player who fits that bill, the NRL standard centre will make up for the loss of Intrust Super Cup all time leading try scorer Daniel Ogden. They are likely to see a bit of Payne Haas in green and red this season given the depth of strength in the forwards at the Broncos.
Other great additions include Matiu Love-Henry, Moses Pangai and PNG duo Edene Gebbie and Rahdly Brawa. Edene Gebbie in particular showed some real quality for the Hunters in 2018, and could be a real handful in the upcoming 2019 season.
Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb Capras 34 Wynnum 32
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb Wynnum 12 Broncos 26
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Sam Scarlett (Brisbane Broncos / Souths Logan Magpies), Salesi Funaki (Brisbane Broncos / Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos), Moses Pangai (Brisbane Broncos / Redcliffe Dolphins), Matiu Love-Henry (New Zealand Warriors), Junior Pauga (New Zealand Warriors), Patrick Sipley (New Zealand Warriors), Edene Gebbie (PNG Hunters), Rahdly Brawa (PNG Hunters), Matt Groat (Easts Tigers), Tristan Hope (Redcliffe Dolphins), Richie Kennar (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edwin Ipape (Lae Snax Tigers), Jordan Drew (Townsville Blackhawks)
LOSSES: Daniel Ogden (Retired), Michael Dobson (Retired), Atelea (Til) Vea (Retired), Mitchell Moore (Retired), Joshua Hoffman (Retired), Jeriah Goodrich (Retired), Billy Solah (Retired), Peter Gubb (Ipswich Jets), Shaun Nona (Townsville Blackhawks), Stedman Lefau (Norths Devils), Mitchell Frei (Souths Logan Magpies), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (New Zealand Warriors)
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/12/13/intrust-super-cup-2019-draw-announcement/
