Josh Chudleigh (born 8 April 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup. Primarily a , he previously played for the North Queensland Cowboys.

Background

Born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Chudleigh played his junior rugby league for the Bungendore Tigers before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.

Playing career

Early career

In 2010, Chudleigh played for the Raiders' Harold Matthews Cup side. In 2012, he played for their SG Ball Cup side, scoring a try in that season's Grand Final, which they lost to the Balmain Tigers. In 2013, after taking an extended break from rugby league, Chudleigh joined the Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Rugby League competition after being coaxed back to the sport by former Raiders' captain and then-Queanbeyan coach Simon Woolford. In October 2013, he signed a one-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, joining their National Youth Competition (rugby league), NYC side. He played 22 games for them in 2014, winning the club's NYC Player of the Year award, being named in the Junior Kangaroos train-on squad and earning an NRL contract. In 2015, Chudleigh spent the year in the Queensland Cup with the Cowboys' feeder side, the Mackay Cutters. He was named at hooker in the Queensland Cup Team of the Year. In September 2015, he re-signed with the Cowboys for a further year.

2016

In Round 18 of the 2016 NRL season, Chudleigh made his National Rugby League, NRL debut for the Cowboys against his former club, the Canberra Raiders, scoring a try. On 22 August, Chudleigh re-signed with the Cowboys for a further 2 seasons, until the end of 2018. On 31 August, Chudleigh won the The Courier-Mail, Courier Mail Medal for Queensland Cup Player of the Year and was named at hooker in the Team of the Year. In December 2016, Chudleigh ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in training, ruling him out for the 2017 season.

2018

In Round 2 of the Queensland Cup season, Chudleigh made a successful return from injury in the Mackay Cutters' 26–24 loss to the Easts Tigers. Two weeks after his return, in a game against the Northern Pride RLFC, Northern Pride, he ruptured his ACL for the second time, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2018 season. On 13 September 2018, he was announced by the Cowboys as one of nine players leaving the club at the end of the 2018 NRL season, 2018 season.

2019

In 2019, Chudleigh joined the Townsville Blackhawks for the 2019 season.

Achievements and accolades

Individual

*The Courier-Mail, Courier Mail Medal: 2016 *Queensland Cup Team of the Year: 2015, 2016 *List of North Queensland Cowboys honours#Club awards, North Queensland Cowboys NYC Player of the Year: 2014

Statistics

NRL

: ''Statistics are correct to the end of the 2018 season''

References

External links

North Queensland Cowboys profileNRL profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chudleigh, Josh 1994 births Living people Australian rugby league players North Queensland Cowboys players Mackay Cutters players Rugby league hookers Rugby league players from Canberra Townsville Blackhawks players