STATE’S BIG NRL OPENING NIGHT
COWBOYS V BRONCOS PREVIEW
COWBOYS legend Johnathan Thurston admits he would love nothing more than to play a game inside Townsville’s new “theatre of dreams”.
“Whenever I drove past it while it was being built I’d have a smile on my face,” he said.
“I wish I was able to lead the boys out on Friday, but it’s such a good stadium and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.”
Thurston is adamant his beloved Cowboys are about to write a new and exciting chapter in club history at the new stadium.
It will all begin with what has become the NRL’s fiercest club rivalry. In the last five years clashes between the Cowboys and Broncos have been separated by an average of six points or less. “It’s a great opportunity for them to kickstart the season and to bring everything they worked on out to the field,” Thurston said.
“It’s an exciting time for the boys and they will be pumped.
“It is like the start of a new era, and I know the boys will make the most of the opportunity to create something special.”
Holmes has outlined his plan to deliver a premiership for the Cowboys and become North Queensland’s matchwinning maestro in the mould of club legend Johnathan Thurston.
Holmes has every incentive to topple Brisbane when his 539-day absence from the NRL ends tonight in his Cowboys debut in their premiership opener against the Broncos at the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Back in the NRL after a 12month dalliance with NFL’s New York Jets, Holmes has not forgotten his teenage years when Broncos scouts passed him by to sign his good mate Paul Byrnes.
While Byrnes played in the Broncos under-20s, Holmes found his way to Cronulla, winning a premiership with the Sharks in 2016 before his shock decision last year to quit the NRL and chase an NFL contract.
After a lonely year in America, Holmes is back on home soil in Townsville, motivated to emulate Thurston by winning a premiership for the club after the Cowboys’ epic defeat of the Broncos in the 2015 grand final.
“It would be amazing to have that success for the Cowboys,” Holmes said ahead of his return to the NRL.
“It’s everyone’s dream to win a premiership and I would love to put the Cowboys back in the premiership books.
“That’s a goal in the back of my head. Townsville is my hometown. I would love to see my mum and dad celebrating a premiership win with me and the whole club.
“It’s been a few years since the Cowboys won the last premiership and we all want another taste of it, but there’s a long way to go and the hard work starts now.”
Holmes would love nothing more than terrorising the Broncos tonight.
In his formative years in Townsville, Holmes dreamt of an NRL career, but feared it might not eventuate after a sliding doors moment that cost him a Broncos scholarship.
“The Broncos were never keen on me,” he said. “Me and my good mate played the same position and the Broncos signed him instead of me.
“His name was Paul Byrnes. He played for the Broncos under-20s and is now playing in the Queensland Cup (for the Mackay Cutters).
“I have no nerves at all coming back. I know I’ve had one year out of the game but I had no injuries during that time so I believe I’m coming back in better shape.”
Holmes scored 66 tries in 105 games for the Sharks, mostly as a winger, but the 24year-old will embark on a new chapter at the Cowboys with a permanent role at fullback.
The Queensland Origin ace believes he can be even more lethal with room to attack.
“I haven’t produced my best in the game,” he said.
“Coming back to rugby league, I can get better. I have had some great games but I haven’t been as consistently good as I would like to be.
“When the game is on the line, I want to be that guy that decides the result. That’s what halves and fullbacks should aspire to be. I want to be better at being a matchwinner and that’s my aim this season.
“I can’t wait for the derby. It’s a great game to be in the new stadium and to be part of history will be something special. I can’t wait to get out there.”