While the experience lost through the retirements of Anthony Mitchell and Michael Parker-Walshe is substantial; coupled with the departures of skipper Dan Beasley and the club's 2017 Player of the Year Blake Leary – the Townsville Blackhawks have recruited well in an attempt to push for a maiden premiership title.
Cult favourite Kalifa Faifai Loa returns to the Intrust Super Cup from NRL side St George Illawarra and brings with him centre Levi Dodd, while there is also a plethora of Cup-experienced players heading to the NQ club, including hooker Krys Freeman (from the Capras), former Mackay skipper Andrew Davey and 2017 XXXX Queensland Residents player Joe Boyce from Souths Logan (Brisbane Broncos).
The full list of gains and losses is below. *
Townsville Blackhawks Gains and Losses 2018
Gains: Krys Freeman (Capras), Rod Griffin (Bulldogs), Jaelen Feeney (Newcastle Knights), Joe Boyce (Broncos / Souths Logan), Andrew Davey (Mackay Cutters), Levi Dodd (St George Illawarra), Kalifa Faifai Loa (St George Illawarra), Duane Dempsey (Cowboys NYC), Michael Carroll (Cowboys NYC), Zach Docker-Clay (HKR-UK Championship)
Losses: Anthony Mitchell (retired), Michael Parker-Walshe (retired), Dan Beasley (French League)
Blake Leary (Burleigh Bears), Oshae Tuiasau (relocated)
Where they finished in 2017: 6th (eliminated Finals Week 1)
2018 coach: Kristian Woolf
*Submissions made by clubs and correct at the time.
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QRL Media will be featuring the Gains and Losses for the 2018 season for each of the Intrust Super Cup clubs in coming weeks. Stay tuned to QRL.com.au to see all the player movement.
2018 Intrust Super Cup Gains and Losses
Mackay Cutters
Burleigh Bears
Easts Tigers
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Northern Pride
Ipswich Jets
