True Northerner Jaymon Moore ready to repay Townsville

Jaymon Moore is a man of the North.

Born and bred in Innisfail, Moore describes it as having been “up and down and everywhere” with his time in North Queensland.

From the Northern Pride to the Mackay Cutters now to Townsville - where he is contracted to the Townsville Blackhawks’ Hostplus Cup side - the 23-year-old forward has certainly journeyed around the region.

But it’s in Townsville where he’s finally starting to feel at home.

“North Queensland is where I’ve been all my life,” Moore said.

“I’ve been up and down and everywhere. But it’s been good here in Townsville. I like it here. It’s close to home in Innisfail. Family can come watch me.

“I know now after being thrown around different clubs that I’m over it. When I get my opportunity I want to play good, cement myself and stay here.”

And Moore is certainly doing everything he can to make the most of his first year in Townsville rugby league.

After making his Cup debut with the Cutters last year, he now plays with Charters Towers Miners in Townsville’s local A grade competition – sitting in fourth on the ladder – and has represented Townsville in the Foley Shield and XXXX League Championship semi-final.

This Saturday, July 30, he will lace up the boots once again for the representative side, as they take on the Gold Coast in the XXXX League Championship final for the prestigious title of best A grade team in the state.

And the cherry on top? This highly-anticipated grand final comes just one week after he made his Blackhawks debut against Redcliffe Dolphins in Ayr.

“It was a bit of challenge to get in,” Moore said of his elevation to the Blackhawks’ Cup side.

“I’ve been biding my time but I finally got a crack. I was a bit nervous waiting on the bench.

“(Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne) told me on Wednesday at training. He asked me who I’m playing for in local league and how I pulled up.

“I said I had a couple of niggle injuries and then he asked if I would be right to play against the Dolphins.

“I was excited and keen to play. It was a tough game. It was in the middle of the day and it was hot and I was a bit gassed.

“But hopefully I have a good game this week against the Gold Coast and can get back in there against Pride.”

Moore said the two goals he set himself at the start of the year were to play with the Blackhawks and to also make the Foley Shield side for Townsville.

He has ticked both of these off his list, but his opportunities and aspirations with Townsville’s representative team have continued to develop the further they have gone on their journey to the XXXX League Championship final.

They had to overcome both Mackay and Cairns in the Foley Shield before taking down Rockhampton in the Championship’s semi-final.

For Moore, this game is about a lot more than just pushing his case for more games with the Blackhawks.

It’s about representing the region he’s from – the town he was born, in Innisfail, to the three cities he’s called home since in Cairns, Mackay and now Townsville.

It’s about pushing himself at that next level.

And it’s about finishing the job that Townsville started back at the Foley Shield in April.