Anyone know why JT isnt playing this week, and what kind of a calibre player liam sutton is

Blackhawks snatch Meninga Cup thriller

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QRL Media

Timestamp

Sun 10 May 2026, 05:35 PM

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Townsville Blackhawks have capped off a dominant Mal Meninga Cup season (presented by Ford) with a fairy tale finish to their hard-fought grand final against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Both teams put everything on the line in a gripping contest at Kayo Stadium but it was the Blackhawks who emerged victorious after a clutch plays from star duo Archie Mesritz and Taj Lateo.

With the score locked at 20-20 and extra time seemingly just a minute and a half away, Mesritz ignited the Blackhawks with a brilliant kick return.

The surge put the Townsville team within reach of a one-point field goal, and man of the moment Lateo stepped up with a flat strike that sailed over the cross bar with just 30 seconds remaining.

An exhausted Wynnum team slumped to their knees, but they could hold their heads high after a superb effort.

The Seagulls led 8-0 early before the Blackhawks soared back with the next 20 points.

But when Jordan Hotere crossed and Payton Gifford landed his fourth goal, it was all locked up and the Gulls were in reach of a famous victory.

It wasn’t to be though for the bayside club as the Blackhawks held their nerve to clinch a thriller.

Townsville Blackhawks 21 (Ashyr Kelso, Alekisio Siale, Taj Lateo, Taylan To'a tries; Taj Lateo 2 goals; Taj Lateo field goal) def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 20 (Alastair MacLachlan, Bailen Noy, Jordan Hotere tries; Payton Gifford 4 goals)

Tom dearden will miss 6-8 weeks because Payten thinks finals footy gets played in June.

Attack is top tier.

Errors - abysmal. Parramatta are absolutely atrocious, how did we lose that.

Errors galore and an inability to defend them, again and again and again. Until we can fix it we won’t be contenders.

Bit of immaturity from Purdue and mikaele when the game was on the line.

Drop balls are absolutely killing us.

That is all…I’ll be unreachable for a few days to process this

Every single time it looked like we were building momentum or starting to take control, we’d hand it straight back with a dumb error, a penalty, or another 6 again. You could almost predict it before it happened. Eighteen errors and four penalties conceded at home is simply not good enough for a team that’s meant to be pushing for finals.

I love this club and I’ll always support the boys, but watching us constantly destroy our own momentum week after week is exhausting. We make the game so much harder for ourselves than it needs to be.
The frustrating part is there are actually positives in this squad. The young kids coming through look exciting, JT13 looks close to being one of the best forwards in the game again, and Tommy Gun still gives absolutely everything every week. But none of that matters when we keep gifting teams possession and field position.

The errors and constant 6 agains are going to kill this team if nothing changes. I’m honestly getting to the point where I dread watching us because it feels like the exact same collapse every single week.

Does anyone actually know why these errors keep happening week in and week out? My old coach always used to say that repeated errors come down to one of two things: either the team isn’t fit enough, or players know they won’t get dropped for making them. What do you reckon is going on with the Cowboys at the moment?

A good Blake Green interview that the article is based on is in the link. Talking about in addition to the piece. about the tactics after we started slowly, the effect of Luki and Chester and more. If you're dexterity is good enough to dodge the adds.

NSFW language, but out of love for Jase.

Cliffdog re-signs until 2028 baby lets go🐮 - Per Cows official Instagram

I've been waiting for something from the cowboys site, but this will be worth a look.

Cowboys face tough fight to keep rising star

He is eyeing a change of scenery.

Scott Pryde

EDITOR | May 5, 2026 - 2:56pm

 0

The North Queensland Cowboys are facing an uphill battle to retain rising star Mason Barber.

The young fullback is viewed as a major part of the future in Townsville, but is off-contract at the end of the season and no guarantee to remain in Townsville.

News Corp are reporting the youngster, aged just 19, is eyeing off a change of scenery and could be keen on a move to Sydney.

There could be more to it than just a change of scenery though.

While the Cowboys view him as a big part of their future, it's understood he will be overlooked for the club's number one jumper next year when Scott Drinkwater exits, bound for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Instead, it's likely to be Jaxon Purdue set to fight with Tom Chester for the jersey, with the other to play in the centres. Purdue could also line up in the halves, and may yet need to, given the club hasn't re-signed Jake Clifford and are chasing Chanel Harris-Tavita, who the New Zealand Warriors aren't keen on losing.

It's understood the Cowboys have offered a new deal in the direction of Barber, but it's yet to fall across the line.

His form during the pre-season has followed into the QLD Cup this year where he has been playing in the centres and on the wing. He has featured in the 22-man squad more than once for the Cowboys this year and could push for an NRL debut during the second half of the year.

That’s a significantly better win than last week. The defence was great. I’ve been a bit wary all season. But I’m starting to believe!

Tom Chester answering questions on his back to back knee reconstructions, playing centre and of course fishing (absolutely no tips on spots he's an evasive centre/fisherman).

There is so much gold in this interview, its a crack. Getting the pumpkin head on, Griff still stinks and Drinkys stinky farts.