Five former Blackhawks answer key question: Will you return in 2024?

Blackhawks veterans Kyle Laybutt and Jaelen Feeney have put up their hands to help lead a rebuild of the club’s depleted Hostplus Cup squad.

Rising prop Hamilton Taia echoed the call, insisting he too would return home in a heartbeat should football manager Adrian “Happy” Thomson pick up the phone.

Former Newcastle Knight Feeney said he had been through a rebuilding process before and backed the club’s leaders to return Townsville to a Queensland Cup premiership force again.

“I’ve been a part of rebuilds before and unfortunately they’re not pretty at stages but it happens. Every club goes through it at some stage so the least I can do is be there for when it does,” Feeney said.

“I’ve been a part of the Blackhawks for five years and I call Townsville home.

“I wouldn’t play for another Q-Cup club unless I was forced out, which nearly happened this year. I’m having a child in two months and that was the reason I didn’t leave.

“I’m stuck in Townsville for a good long while and if I can be part of the rebuild I’m sure I will be there.”

Feeney said the critical elements for any rebuild were to sign strong leaders to base a culture around and then surround them with young talent.

“That ends up creating a good culture where the senior boys teach them how to be professionals,” Feeney said.

“It’s about that balance, getting in people who are really passionate about the club. Seniors like myself, Kyle Laybutt, Patrick Kaufusi and Cade Maloney, the boys who have been there and know what it takes to be a Blackhawk.

“I’m pretty sure everyone is going to have a chip on their shoulder and whenever pre-season starts is going to be a big challenge for us (as a group).

“There’s only one way up, I guess. We’re in a bit of a dump at the moment and we just want to make Townsville proud of the Blackhawks again and put the negativity away.

“It’s a shame we don’t get to do that with Payney at the helm but I’m sure whoever comes in will understand how important the Blackhawks are to the Townsville community and how important winning is.”

Prop Taia signed with the Cutters after the Cowboys squeeze-out at the Blackhawks, leaving his partner and children behind in Townsville to chase his opportunity in Mackay.

Though he does not regret the move, he concedes he would do things differently if he had his chance again.

“If they want me back I will take it on the spot,” Taia said.

“I did get to play Queensland Cup this year with the Cutters but I’m playing it by ear at the moment.

“Being down here by myself was not what I planned to happen. I’m trying to finish off the local league here and then if the Blackhawks call that will be the sign for me to come home. If the Blackhawks are interested in me, I will take it.”

Other players who landed on their feet at other Hostplus Cup clubs indicated they would be unlikely to return.

Five-eighth Aaron Moore has found a happy home with the Capras of Central Queensland, where he has reunited with brother Blake.

Utility forward Zac McMinn revealed he was on the cusp of signing an extension with Norths Devils, having developed into a key player in the wake of the club’s relationship breakdown with the Broncos.

Northern Pride forwards Jaymon Moore and Justin Frain have also landed key roles with the Blackhawks’ arch rivals and could prove difficult to lure back to the club.

Central Queensland's Moore - no relation to Jaymon - said the decision to remove Aaron Payne as coach had dampened his enthusiasm to return.

“Changing coaches was freaking harsh,” he said.

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“With everything Payney has been through this year with the Cowboys, he hasn’t been able to coach this year, really. I was devastated for Payney. If he was around, I’d probably think about it a little more, but I’m settled where I am now and I plan to spend a few more years at the Capras.”

McMinn said he had set up a new life in Brisbane and was ready to commit to his new club.

He said the fallout of the Broncos’ break-up with the Devils had been a positive for Norths, hinting that a decreased Cowboys presence at the Blackhawks could have a similar impact for Townsville.

Originally published as Five former Blackhawks answer key question: Will you return in 2024?