Cowboys speedster Krystal Blackwell boasts an impressive background in athletics and grew up dreaming of representing Australia at the Olympic Games.
Blackwell, who is one of the fastest players in the NRLW, showcased her pace with a stunning 95m try against the Raiders last weekend after sprinting out of dummy half near her own line.
Hitting a top speed of 29.5kph, Blackwell pulled away from Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls as she raced to the tryline for one of the tries of the season.
“Speed is something that has come a bit natural. I used to sprint a lot when I was a kid,” Blackwell told pan66.com.
“I did a lot of Little A’s [Little Athletics], and went to national and state champs, so I guess it’s a bit in my blood.”
Blackwell held for 70m, 100m, 200m and 400m events and set an Australian 400m record while growing up in Helensburgh, telling the local paper: “I want to go the Olympic Games”.
After moving to Goulburn, she continued to star on the running track, and set regional schools records in 17+ events for 100m, 200m and 400m in 2019.
However, Blackwell was also a promising rugby league player and after starring for Monaro Colts in last year’s NSWRL Country Championship, she was recruited by the Cowboys as the final member of their inaugural NRLW squad.
Debuting in Round 1, she made an immediate impression by running down Titans winger Destiny Mino-Sinapati to save a try after a long-range break by Tahlia Fuimaono.
What a save!
After playing seven NRL matches last season, Blackwell signed an extended deal to remain in North Queensland.
“I have got another year here [in North Queensland] and I’ve been loving it,” Blackwell said. “I have made some really good friends, some lifelong friends. I’ve been really enjoying it.”
While most of her appearances have been on the wing, Blackwell has also played five-eighth and moved to fullback in recent weeks in the absence of injured English international Francesca Goldthorp.
With Goldthorp sidelined by a back injury she has again been named in the No.1 jersey for Sunday’s clash with the Broncos at Brisbane’s Totally Workwear Stadium.
Blackwell gets two assists to seal win
“My favourite position is definitely fullback, but I’ll play anywhere for this team,” Blackwell said.
“Wherever I get put at the start of the week, I will put my hand up and do my best for them.”
