Hunger drives Cowboys into a new year
RUGBY LEAGUE: The pain of a grand final defeat still lingers in the background for the Warwick Cowboys.
But instead of letting it drag them down, they’re using it to fuel the fire as they strive to end a 31-year premiership drought.
After a stunning rookie season in charge, Matt Grew returns to the helm, and said he hadn’t had any issues firing up his side in the pre-season.
“If there’s one good thing that comes out of losing a grand final, it’s that players are going to be motivated for the following season,” Grew said.
“We started training in the first week of December, and we were regularly getting 20-30 blokes at sessions which is something we haven’t seen before.
“A few came back underdone, but a fair portion of players had a few weeks off after the grand final and then got straight back into work.
“We’re a relatively young side with a few older heads. All the young fellas got a taste of finals footy and they’ve put in hard work since. I’m really happy with how they’ve come back to us.”
While confident in a large contingent of the side returning for another shot in 2020, Grew confirmed that they would be without a couple of strike outside backs.
“We’re fairly confident that we’re going to retain 95 per cent of last year’s playing group,” he said.
“Cody Byrne has moved on. He’s been able to secure a spot in the Redcliffe U20s program,
“It’s a massive shame to lose him, but we can’t hold them back, and we want to see him have a crack at that level.
“Zach Koitka came to us last year after a spell away from the game. He’s got the hunger back and will be back playing in Brisbane.”
Another player who won’t return for the new season is halfback Paul Cantwell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last year.
The halves partnership of Coedie Tandy and Harry Sullivan
was able to steer the Cowboys to the decider, and Grew said they could again wear the six and seven.
“We’ll look at the options we have and figure out what the best combo will be,” he said.
“Harry did an excellent job in a position he had never played before.”
The Cowboys start their season in the Border Knockout in Goondiwindi next month, before taking on arch rivals Wattles in the Barrett Shield on March 7.
They round out their preseason with a visiting Kyogle side the following weekend, prior to their round one fixture at home to Oakey on March 22.