Teams are always stoked to regain local juniors and the Canberra Raiders have a returning one in Krystal Blackwell, who rejoins the club on a two-year deal.
Blackwell, who was part of the Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup side from 2019 to 2021, has spent her time at the North Queensland Cowboys and performed admirably for the Townsville outfit.
Still only 23, Blackwell brings tremendous utility value to the Raiders NRLW side, with head coach Darren Borthwick pleased to reconnect with Blackwell.
“Krystal was in our KFS Academy we had when I first got here and performed really well in that and off the back of the National Championships with NSW Country, we put an offer on the table and the Cowboys got in before us,” said Borthwick.
“The main thing is that this is always home for her and we can say she’s coming home now.
“She has had some really good years up there at the Cowboys and it’s exciting to have someone like Krystal come back to our club.”
Borthwick is also pleased to see a pathways player return and believes Blackwell will only get better with her top flight experience away from home.
“Coming through our Tarsha Gale Cup system as well, and being a pathways player, it’s always good to welcome players back,” continued Borthwick.
“They come back here better players and she will definitely add to our team. She’s someone I know that the girls will look forward to playing with and I look forward to coaching her as well.”
Blackwell, who player her junior footy in Goulburn, said she is excited to return home and to the club where it all began.
“I’m really excited to come back to the club where it all started for me,” Blackwell said.
“The growth in NRLW has been awesome and the chance to come here and be close to Mum and Dad and see my family more often.
“My Dad travels to every game so I think he’s pretty excited to not have to travel every week.”
Although she is home, the club has very different personnel and Blackwell is excited to get to know her teammates, the culture and make the most of her chances.
“My goals are to be in an environment where I’m comfortable and hopefully I can become a really good leader at this club,” continued Blackwell.
“I look forward to playing alongside all of the girls and making good connections, because I feel like that’s really important to me as a player, building good connections makes you play better on the field.”
