LOWE KICKS IN
Goondiwindi junior has big job with no JT
Michael Morgan is not the only one to step up at the Cowboys in the absence of Johnathan Thurston as a Goondiwindi talent has taken over a key job.
North Queensland is preparing for a massive NRL preliminary final clash with the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium and does so without talismanic playmaker Thurston.
The Cowboys have made an unexpected run to the grand final qualifier without Thurston and the efforts of fellow half Morgan have played a large role in North Queensland defying the odds to remain as one of four teams left.
Other team mates have also picked up the slack left by Thurston’s absence, with Goondiwindi junior and former Valleys forward Ethan Lowe taking over a key role left by the former Brothers player and St Mary’s College student.
Lowe has taken over the important task as Cowboys goal kicker and is doing a great job filling in for sharp-shooter Thurston.
The 2008 TRL Colt of the Year is proving the man for the big occasion as he slotted a late conversion from the sideline to lift the Cowboys to a thrilling 14-12 win over Penrith back in June.
He has landed 40 goals from 51 attempts this season for a 78 per cent success rate.
Points are often hard to come by in finals so Lowe’s goal kicking could prove pivotal as the Cowboys chase a second grand final appearance in three seasons.
Lowe was part of the club’s maiden premiership win in 2015 and was thrilled to be close to another grand final appearance.
“We always knew if we kept working hard we’d be in with a shot. To get another game away from a grand final is pretty exciting,” Lowe told the Townsville Bulletin.