LIFTOUT: PAGE 17

GROSS LEADS CROCS Cowboys see upset brewing

NORTH Queensland has turned a corner in the past fortnight and will aim for the ultimate upset against competition leaders Melbourne Storm on Friday night.

It has been the club’s ability to bring a simple approach to their game plan that has spurred the resurgence.

That, and a renewed faith in each other.

The Cowboys were unceremoniously pummelled by Newcastle Knights almost three weeks ago, and the club was left to do some soul searching.

Coach Paul Green had admitted after the game that the side lacked effort at key moments. It was not a performance befitting a club that was still fighting for a slim chance of finals. It was a match that ended their season, but also woke the sleeping giant.

It was a dose of reality for the Cowboys, one that had allegedly sent a rift through the camp. Reports of Green and captain Michael Morgan having a heated disagreement at a post-game function suddenly made the headlines.

But instead of showing signs of that rift, like their Knights counterparts did, the Cowboys banded together and produced two of their best team performances in the past two weeks.

Cowboys vice-captain Jordan McLean has been at the heart of that resurgence.

The lack of finals football has taken the pressure off the Cowboys, and allowed the club to focus on putting the respect back in the jersey.

It is why the side is still hungry to take on the high-flying Storm, who sealed the minor premiership with a week left in the competition. MORE LEAGUE PAGE 18