Entering 2025 the Townsville Blackhawks were reeling from three successive seasons of missing the top eight.
Since bowing out in the first week of finals in 2021, Jack Manski Oval has been starved of true premiership aspirations, but if the first six weeks of the 2025 Hostplus Cup season are any indication, this might be about to change.
Their start to the season entering last weekend was their best in close to a decade, equalling their longest unbeaten start to a year since 2016 going five wins from five games.
Unfortunately, this streak came to an end last Saturday after the Blackhawks were defeated by a Sunshine Coast Falcons side featuring a rampaging Nelson Asofa Solomona who had an equally damaging Lazarus Vaalepu joining him in the Falcons front-row brigade.
Though despite the loss, head coach Terry Campese is excited about his sides performance to begin the year.
“From pre-season it’s been clear that the players have bought in to what we are trying to achieve this year.”
“We lost last year’s player of the season Nick Brown early this year, but despite that the boys’ attitude has been outstanding. We have a great mix of experience in this team from Matt Wright, James Tamou and Kalifa (FaiFai Loa), as well as a great amount of young talent coming through. I think there’s a few boys in this team who will be knocking on the door of the NRL later in the year.”
The leadership of Kalifa Faifai Loa will be in the spotlight this weekend, as the Kiwi international will become the most capped Townsville Blackhawk of all time, overtaking Kyle Laybutt’s 104 games.
Speaking directly to FaiFai Loa’s impact on his side, Campese couldn’t speak highly enough of the revered winger.
“Kalifa is a true clubman, he’s all about the other boys next to him.
“He’s still playing great football, his hard carries from the back and his willingness to do the dirty work is tremendous, the young lads in this team just thrive off his energy.”
“It was disappointing to lose tonight, but I think next week will be a match he remembers forever, and I know that the boys will be getting up for him then.”
After falling to a star-studded Falcons side last weekend, the Blackhawks will be making the trek down to Ipswich as they seek a return to winning ways with the extra motivation of Kalifa Faifai Loa’s milestone match.
This season has seen a marked improvement amongst key players in the Blackhawks’ side, namely front row forward Josh Stuckey and fullback Mackenzie Baker.
Though only six matches into their season, the Blackhawks are poised to have one of their most successful seasons since they made the Grand Final a decade ago.
The Blackhawks are currently flying high, but ultimately only time well tell if they’re able to continue this form into September.
To watch every game of the Townsville Blackhawks this season, visit QPlus.TV – with monthly passes starting from as little as $9.99.
