Blackhawks hold on against Burleigh

While Payne offered that he didn't hold a particularly defensive mindset as a coach – saying he did enjoy seeing points scored – he said the work of past coach Kristian Woolf had helped laid that foundation.

“I have to give praise to Kristian Woolf for the defensive mindset that has developed in the players and how they work on that,” he said.

While the Blackhawks earned their 16-0 lead at halftime; the Bears did well to come back strongly in the second half, especially as they played the entire half with 12 players, with Pat Politoni sent off for striking.

The hooker will find out his future when the QRL Judiciary Charges come out on Tuesday.

It was an ignominious end to the opening half, with the Blackhawks also losing two players to the sin bin in relation to the incident.

On the field, after tries to backs Jesse Arthars and Troy Leo, Burleigh were denied the chance to level the scores at the end of the game when Josh Berkers was held up over the line.

The match was also the 50th Cup game for Blackhawks Jake Marketo and Kyle Laybutt, with Payne praising their contributions to the club.

“Both are really good players with good qualities and both are key members of our squad,” he said.

“Jake is a leader in our side, and Kyle as a half is invaluable as well with what he brings.”

Next week, the Blackhawks host the Mackay Cutters in a rare Friday night game.

“We have a short turn-around, but we’ll ... try and replicate the energy levels from (tonight),” Payne said.

“But it’s always fun (to play in derby match); when players who train fulltime together like they do in the Cowboys come up against each other, there is always a bit more spice.”

The Bears will travel to Davies Park on Sunday to take on a Magpies side who are sure to be smarting after a close one-point loss to Redcliffe in Round 4.