Morgan ready to share JT’s crown
COWBOYS dynamo Michael Morgan says he is ready for the pressure and expectation of taking over from Johnathan Thurston and becoming the king of the north.
Morgan will take on a more senior role in North Queensland’s playmaking set-up this season despite the return of four-time Dally M Medal champion Thurston from injury.
Morgan, who last week inked a five-year deal to stay at the Cowboys, guided them to a fairytale grand final appearance last season with a sensational run of form.
The 26-year-old stepped up when Thurston’s season was ended by a shoulder injury and produced such a hot streak that he finished runner-up in the Dally M Medal tally to Storm star Cameron Smith.
Now an established Test and Origin star, Morgan is more comfortable with his pos- ition at the Cowboys, who have been dominated by Thurston since his arrival in 2005.
Thurston, 34, will retire at season’s end and Morgan said he was ready to take the reins.
“With him finishing up this year, I’d like to think I can take on more of a role like I did last year,” Morgan said.
“I really enjoyed doing that … I want to still do a bit of it this year, without us getting in the way of each other. It’s about getting the balance right.
“Long-term, I’d love to have a big role within the team.
“I think the expectation will be there – I’m not silly. I want to keep getting better and improve. If I keep challenging myself then hopefully that happens.”
Thurston, preparing for his 300th NRL match in Friday’s season-opener against the Sharks at 1300 SMILES Stadium, had his first hitout with the new Morgan in last month’s trial against Melbourne.
It was the first time North Queensland’s chief shot-callers had played alongside each other since Round 14 last year.
After the trial, Thurston noted Morgan was a more mature and vocal player, not afraid to stamp his authority.
Morgan, a 129-game Cowboys representative, said he did not want to take a backwards step in 2018 despite Thurston’s return.
“I’m probably a little bit more (talkative) than the last time we played together,” he said. “If I can be more vocal and help him then that’s what I’ll try to do.”
Morgan and North Queensland’s incredible run of form, after sneaking into the finals in eighth position, ended with a heartbreaking grand final loss to Melbourne, which Morgan said drives him.
WITH HIM (THURSTON) FINISHING UP THIS YEAR, I’D LIKE TO THINK I CAN TAKE ON MORE OF A ROLE LIKE I DID LAST YEAR...
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