Eddie Blacker is back at the Norths Devils, returning to Bishop Park after five years of hard work in the NRL with insights from rugby league’s best front-rowers.
Blacker last wore a Devils jersey in 2018 when he was part of a Norths Under 18 team alongside the likes of Jordan Riki, Ethan Bullemor and Cory Paix.
He played against the Devils in the 2022 NRL State Championship game when his Penrith Panthers defeated a Norths team that had just claimed back-to-back Queensland Cup titles.
It’s been a hectic five years for Blacker, who signed an NRL contract with St George Illawarra before moving to Penrith’s NRL squad for the last three seasons. The 23-year-old played NRL matches for both clubs.
Blacker had the chance to remain on an NRL development contract but rejected that full-time offer for the chance to return home and work back to the top through the Devils.
The lessons learned from the likes of former teammates James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Paul Vaughan and James Graham are important to Blacker.
“I was fortunate to play with some of the best front-rowers. They were really helpful to me and I was able to learn a lot from them,” Blacker said.
“They taught me the importance of the little things that have really helped me grow as a player. It’s all been a real learning curve for me and I thought this was the right time to come home and concentrate on playing well for Norths.”
Blacker was raised on the northside, attending Bray Park State High School as he developed a junior career that included selection in the Queensland Schoolboys team and then junior Origin teams.
New Dolphins signing Tom Flegler and Broncos prop Payne Haas were among Blacker’s teammates in those strong junior representative teams.
Blacker had the option of joining Flegler in training through the pre-season with the Dolphins but decided to concentrate on working in the construction industry while training under coach Dave Elliott at the Devils.
Blacker returns to the club as an imposing middle forward at 195cm and 116kg.
“I felt like it was the right time to come home and get around family again,” Blacker said.
“It’s been a good change for me and it’s really good to be back at Norths. I know what to do to get my body in the right condition to play good footy.
“I just want to work hard here and find my way back to the NRL through playing well with Norths.”
That path has been followed by several players in recent years including Danny Levi and Tyrone Roberts who turned Devils contracts into NRL recalls through their performances for Norths.
The Devils have also taken pride in the graduation of contracted players Michael Molo (St George Illawarra), Jon Reuben (St George Illawarra), Brendan Frei (Brisbane Broncos), Ben Nakubuwai (Leigh Leopards) and Brayden McGrady (NRL Dolphins) to fulltime deals in the last two years.
“It’s exciting for me and I’m just looking forward to the opportunities next season,” Blacker said.
“Once I make my mind up, I really give everything I have. And that’s the way I’m approaching the season ahead.”
Elliott welcomed Blacker’s return to the Devils.
“He’s been excellent for us from the first day of pre-season training,” Elliott said.
“He brings a positive energy and he really leads by example.
“You can tell what he’s learned with his time so far in the NRL because he makes every rep count at training.
“We’re very much looking forward to Eddie playing for the Devils and also to helping him with his career goals.”
We recently caught up with Eddie Blacker again to see how his preseason was going. Listen to what he has to say by heading over to our YouTube channel.
