JT to pass playmaker duties on to Morgan

RUGBY LEAGUE: Johnathan Thurston has revealed the Cowboys are revamping their attack this season to install $5 million man Michael Morgan as the new playmaking king in Townsville.

Thurston will take a back seat to unleash Morgan as the Cowboys’ chief shot caller on offensive plays – starting this Friday night in the NRL premiership opener against Cronulla at 1300 Smiles Stadium.

Thurston has been the Cowboys’ main man for 12 years, but the North Queensland champion says he has no issue playing second fiddle to ensure Morgan develops into the club’s next great playmaker.

Thurston says the Cowboys have rejigged their offensive structures over summer to give Morgan more responsibility on his way to Origin domination.

“Off the field we have seen how much he has grown over the past year and part of his development is to make sure he doesn’t take a back seat to me,” Thurston said.

“We have come up with a few new structures to try and get the best out of the playing group ... if guys see an opportunity, make sure they get the ball in their hands.

“I’ve spoken about it with ‘Morgo’, it’s very important for his development that he doesn’t

‘‘ PART OF HIS DEVELOPMENT IS TO MAKE SURE HE DOESN’T TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ME.” JOHNATHAN THURSTON

(defer to Thurston in attack).

“While we have seen how good Morgo was and how we have worked together for the Cowboys, I want to get the best out of him this year.

“That’s what Morgo needs to do this year and there were examples the other week (in the Thurston-Cameron Smith testimonial game). Morgo is the future of our club.”

Morgan last year showed why he will become one of the greats of the game after he stepped up massively following a season-ending injury to halves partner Thurston.

While it was a big burden at the time, and many outsiders thought the Cowboys would suffer without their main playmaker, Morgan silenced the doubters and led North Queensland all the way to the grand final.

For Thurston, it was evidence Morgan – who signed a fiveyear extension last Friday – is ready to also succeed him in the Origin and Test arenas.

Morgan wore the No. 6 jumper in Australia’s World Cup final defeat of England last December and Thurston declared he is ready to be Queensland’s chief playmaker this season.

“He’s done enough the last couple of years to know he can do the job (at Origin level),” Thurston said.

“I’m not sure if Kevvie (Walters, Maroons coach) is thinking he wants a ball-playing fiveeighth or a running five-eighth. That will depend on who his halfback will be.

“But I believe Morgo will be one of the halves. I’m just not too sure who will partner him there. We’ve seen it where he took the Cowboys to the grand final playing halfback and won a World Cup playing fiveeighth.

“That will give Kevvie a lot of confidence to know Morgo can do both those jobs if need be.”