Stage set as Cowboy saddles up for milestone
IT’S an appropriate stage for Antonio Winterstein’s 200th game – a packed Suncorp Stadium against his former team.
The milestone against Brisbane tomorrow night may only receive a skerrick of the hoopla teammate Johnathan Thurston’s 300th game attracted last week but Cowboys coach Paul Green said the contribution of the “quiet achiever” is understated.
“He doesn’t say too much but he gives the young guys confidence and it’s great to have him around,” Green said.
“He’s a quiet achiever ‘Tones’, he just gets it done and adds plenty of leadership off the field too.
“He plays nice and tough and it’s good when you see him returning the footy.”
Winterstein’s 2017 season was interrupted by a handful of niggling injuries but he started this year well in the win over Cronulla, his strong runs out of danger a highlight.
The winger and left centre Javid Bowen had limited attacking opportunities in the opening round as the Cowboys focused on the Sharks’ left-edge defence, with Justin O’Neill and Kyle Feldt picking up tries.
“I wouldn’t blame them, the attacking strike they’ve got on that right edge is unbelievable and they’re working really well together, Feldty and Juz (O’Neill),” Winterstein said.
“We’ve still got ‘Morgo’ to come back and he’ll add another strike weapon to that back line.”
Winterstein and Bowen’s combination is a work in progress as the latter looks to lock down a spot with first-choice centre Kane Linnett (pectoral) out for a few weeks.
Both players are off contract at the end of the season. “It was a bit different but Javid really held his own out there, I thought he defended really well and was dangerous in attack,” Winterstein said.
“He’s got a lot of potential and the more games he plays the better he’ll get.
“It’s an awesome chance for him to really cement that centre spot for himself. I’m really looking forward to creating that combination with him.”
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