Morgan hoping to send JT off a winner
SENDING Johnathan Thurston out of Origin football as a series winner remains motivation for the Maroons, says Michael Morgan.
Morgan may not have taken over the No.6 jersey of his injured Cowboys clubmate, but remains dedicated to the idea of giving him a successful representative farewell.
“I was very disappointed for him personally (when) it obviously became his last game,” Morgan said of the shoulder injury Thurston suffered in game two. “But to finish it the way he did – as a champion – is what he deserved.
“You still want to make it a good series so that you can say he won his last series as an Origin player. So there’s a bit of motivation there still.” Queensland is in a process of regeneration. Thurston has played his last game for the Maroons and tonight’s clash could be the final one for Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, who are yet to decide whether to play on next year.
But Morgan hoped the pair would return.
“I hope it’s not their last. It’s not a decision they’ve come out and made publicly,” he said.
“They haven’t told any of the team what their plans are. If it is (their last series), I guess it adds a little more external motivation in wanting to win because of what they’ve done – JT as well – for this team for however many years it’s been.”
Morgan was locked in a battle with Cameron Munster for the five-eighth spot left vacant by Thurston’s injury but will play in the centres tonight after Maroons coach Kevin Walters opted for an all-Melbourne spine.
“I’m not disappointed at all. I still feel pretty privileged to be in this team, so I’m in no way disappointed,” Morgan said.
“Obviously I do prefer playing in the halves but from a team point of view I completely understand the decision and I’m more than happy with it.”
And the move could hand Queensland an advantage if Morgan is able to use his running game to bend the Blues’ line and create the type of opportunities he has in the past to win pivotal games.
“It gives me a chance to focus more on my own game,” he said.
Being on the left side also gives Morgan a chance to work with electric winger Valentine Holmes and the Cowboy is confident the pair can form a solid combination.
“We already know each other well, we’re pretty good mates away from footy. He’s from Townsville so I know him pretty well,” Morgan said the young Shark.