Townsville Blackhawks: Cup gains and losses for 2024
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It was a little bit of fate and a little bit of persistence that saw James Tamou land at the Townsville Blackhawks in 2024.
The NRL veteran – who racked up over 300 games at the North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers – decided to hang up the boots last year after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his foot, which sidelined him for the majority of the season.
After playing for North Queensland from 2009 to 2016, he was only three games into his comeback with the Cowboys when he was injured.
As Tamou started to work back to fitness, it became clear he would be able to squeeze some games in at the back end of the season before officially hanging up the boots and he did so in Hostplus Cup with the Cowboys’ former affiliate club, the Blackhawks.
And it was after what was supposed to be his final game that Blackhawks football operations manager Adrian ‘Happy’ Thomson started to show a little bit of that persistence.
“The decision was already made to retire. It took the decision out of my hands,” Tamou said of his injury.
“When I got told about it, it was like, that’s it… it’s time to put the feet up and relax. But as I started to recover more and started running and getting back into weights, I thought, ‘I feel all right.’
“I had the last game with the Blackhawks and I was like, ‘heck yeah, it’s my last game ever.’
“I pulled up really well. I felt really good and it was actually Happy out of nowhere, over a couple of beers after the game, who said, ‘mate you look alright out there, you want to go another year?’
“I kind of laughed it off. Then in the offseason, I was getting back into training and the gym, and I felt all right. That fire was still there to compete.
“But I knew my body wouldn’t allow me to go at the top level.”
Then fate stepped in.
“It was by chance that I bumped into Happy at a café and he asked me again if I wanted to go another year and this time I said ‘yeah, I do’,” said Tamou.
“It was one of those things. If I didn’t bump into him, I don’t know if I’d be playing but I knew within myself I could give this one last season my all.
“Semi-professional is perfect for me because we’re not training back-to-back days and it gives me that extra day to recover.
“The love for the game and sense of identity comes into it. Having four kids at home, they’re all strong, motivating factors to keep going.
“I’m thankful to Happy.”
Another motivating factor was getting to play with former Cowboys teammate, Kalifa Faifai Loa.
Faifai Loa was playing in the local A grade competition with Townsville Brothers and Tamou was considering returning at that level so they could play together again.
But once Faifai Loa heard his mate was doing a season at the Blackhawks, he jumped on too.
The Blackhawks have also signed the services of former Cowboy Gehamat Shibasaki, Central Queensland Capras enforcer Nick Halalilo, and second rower Eddie Hampson.
They also welcome a new coach in Canberra Raiders great Terry Campese, who Tamou can see is quickly winning over the playing group.
“I was quite ecstatic when I heard he got the job,” Tamou said.
“I knew Terry… my in-laws are in Canberra and we crossed paths a couple of time. I’ve played against him and knew he was a competitor and loves to win. I knew about his coaching ability.
“He’s highly competitive and knows how to put it into words so players understand what he wants.
“At this level, there has to be a level of teaching. You get young kids coming into this new arena. It’s semi-professional and there’s a lot more you have to bring.
“Campo knows the communication skills and how to put that onto the young ones. He played at a high level for so long and in such a crucial position in the halves.”
For 35-year-old Tamou, the year ahead will be about a few things for him.
As an experienced head among a young group, he wants to give back to the squad and show them what it takes to make it to the next level.
“I’m not here for my athletic prowess... I have to be fit and strong to play league but it’s more so the experience and the high level of standards I can bring to a club with a new coach and a bunch of new players,” Tamou said.
“Being at a high level for so long, it comes hand-in-hand with how to prepare for training. If you prep well for training, it’s not so hard come game day because you’ve done all the preparation during the week.
“It’s about helping them understand that, the standards of your training… You never rise to your occasion if you fall to the standards of your training.
“You have to train to a high level. We have a young group and some are happy to roll with the punches but I’m here to be like, ‘we’re here to the best.’
“Apart from the physicality, I can bring a lot more maturity and experience.”
But, while he’s there to help, Tamou still has plenty of personal goals as he prepares to sign off from his rugby league playing days for good.
“I really want to win,” the 2015 NRL premiership winner said.
“At Penrith we were in a grand final (2020) that we lost and then I had a couple years at the Tigers and last year being injured at the Cows and finishing outside of the top eight, I just really want to win.
“I really want that silverware. That’s the reason. It’s been a while since I’ve tasted that sort of success and it’s a cliché type answer but that’s the only real reason, to get that winning taste.”
Townsville Blackhawks 2024 gains and losses
Gains
Jake Bourke (North Queensland Cowboys), Kalifa Faifai Loa (Local RLTD), Nicholas Halalilo (Central Queensland Capras), Eddie Hampson (Newcastle Knights), Richard Holani (Penrith Brothers), Christian Gale (United Kingdom), Bernard Lewis (Northern Pride), Harry Quinlan (Canberra), Jake Riley (Mackay Cutters), Jaman Rio (Southport Tigers), Ratu Rotavisoro (Ipswich Jets), Jayden Sharp (Burleigh Bears), Gehamat Shibasaki (North Queensland Cowboys), James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys), Tyreece Tonga (Penrith), Denzal Tonise (Blacktown Workers), Lennix Tovo (rugby union), Will Wardle (Parkes - Group 11), Tyreece Woods (Newcastle Knights), Matthew Wright (local RLTD)
Losses
Michael Carroll (Local RLTD), Josh Chudleigh (Retired), Pat Gallen (Local RLTD), Jack Johnson (Norths Devils), Jordan Kenworthy (Retired), Harry MacQueen (Local RLTD), Andrew Niemoeller (Local RLTD), Dylan White (Western Clydesdales)
