Cowboys thriving without Thurston

COWBOYS assistant coach Todd Payten has a message for the knockers who have written off North Queensland off without Johnathan Thurston – “bring it on”.

The Cowboys have won three straight games without Thurston, defying critics who had run a line through their premiership hopes once the champion halfback was ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.

The latest was an industrious 23-10 win over struggling Souths in Cairns on Sunday.

Despite also missing Matt Scott, the Cowboys are only outside the top four on for and against, having won six of their past eight games.

They have a great chance to continue the roll when they host a Warriors side missing playmaker Shaun Johnson on Saturday.

“I hope they keep saying it (we can’t win without Thurston). I’m happy to fly under the radar,” Payten said.

“I don’t think anyone really gives us a serious chance to win the comp without our two captains, but the belief within the group is we’re firmly focused on top four and we’re building towards that.

“It is (motivation), but on the back of that our defence has tightened up, definitely since the first bye.

“In the last eight-week period I think our defence is No.1 for points against.

“That was a real focus after that first bye.

“We had a breakdown of our statistics and where we’re at in terms of the competition.

“The players bought into it and they’re reaping the rewards of it now.”

The Cowboys are likely to be without winger Antonio Winterstein against the Warriors after he left the field injured against the Rabbitohs.

Starting props Scott Bolton (chest) and John Asiata (knee) shook off minor issues to play on, and are expected to turn out.

“Our biggest concern is Antonio. He came off with a calf-slash-Achilles complaint,” Payten said.

“He’ll get a scan and our initial thoughts are it’s pretty minor, but I don’t think he’ll play this week.”

Payten also expects Bolton to get on the field.

Javid Bowen looms as the most likely replacement for Winterstein on the left wing.

Payten said Queensland Origin stars Michael Morgan and Gavin Cooper would be given some time off this week to recuperate after the bruising series.

“I thought Morgo and Coops looked pretty tired in Saturday’s training session. They’ll get a couple of days off this week to recover and go again,” he said.

“If we play it smart and give them the rest they need, we can make a charge toward the finals.”