Blackhawks sign Gebbie

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea international Edene Gebbie has joined Townsville Blackhawks from National Rugby League club Wests Tigers for the upcoming Hostplus Cup (former Queensland Intrust Super Cup) season.
The Tigers released the 26-year-old after his one-year development contract was disrupted in May when the New South Wales (NSW) Cup season was cancelled due to Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The former SP Hunter played a few games with the Tigers’ feeder side, Western Suburbs Magpies, before the cancellation.
“Gebbie was signed to the Mendi Blackhawks for the last part of the 2021 season after being granted clearance from the West Tigers in late May,” Blackhawks football manager Adrian Thompson told The National yesterday.
“Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions and border closures, he couldn’t leave NSW until late August.
“After a two-week hotel quarantine, he arrived in Townsville in mid-September, as we played our last competition round and he wasn’t eligible for finals.
“On his arrival in Townsville, our club expressed a desire to extend Gebbie’s contract through to the 2022 season.
“He is now sponsored and contracted by the Mendi Blackhawks and will play in the newly-named Hostplus Cup for the upcoming season.” Thompson said the Blackhawks had confidence in Gebbie’s attacking flare.
“He is a very important member of our Queensland Cup squad,” he said.
“He has settled into our club very comfortably. We look forward to him expressing his ability once again in the Queensland Cup as he did when playing for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2019.
“His attacking flare and exceptional speed will add to what we think will be a highly-skilled backline.”