‘NEVER REALLY IN IT’

Legends slam predictable Cowboys for poor start

RUGBY LEAGUE great Peter Sterling believes the Cowboys may have to unleash the shackles from their attack after becoming too predictable over the first month of the season.

A young Penrith side suffocated the Cowboys attack in Thursday’s 33-14 home loss, which has condemned North Queensland to a 1-3 start to the year. The Panthers rushed up on chief playmaker Johnathan Thurston (pictured) at every opportunity, shutting down his time and space and robbing the Cowboys of the chance to ease into their set plays.

Cowboys coach Paul Green said the attack lacked composure against the ruthless Panthers line speed.

“It was our attack that let us down. We got a bit rattled, they pressured us well and we lacked a bit of composure,” Green said.

Sterling said North Queensland‘s game plan lacked flair.

“I think so (they’re predictable),” Sterling said on Nine’s Sunday Footy

Show. “If you have a look at all sides who win a competition, if they play the same style of football the next year, it’s never good enough.

They were never really in it once Penrith got on top physically and it’s a bit of a concern for North Queensland, this start, it was a pretty comprehensive loss.

“He’s got some problems up there Paul Green in relation to they were heavily favoured to win the competition this year.

“They just don’t look like the North Queensland we were expecting with (Matt) Scott, Thurston and (Jordan) McLean all added to the side.”

NSW coach Brad Fittler said the Cowboys looked passive at times.

They’re really wanting to slide and be submissive near your try line when they’re going through their set plays, I just don’t get it,” Fittler said.

Five-eighth Michael Morgan said after the game he would hold “honest talks” with Thurston on how they can achieve the right mix in the halves, but Sterling said there’s no reason to panic.

“I don’t think so. Players of their ilk, you submerge your ego enough to make it work.”