Giving a leg-up to battlers of North

UP here in the Far North, they breed ‘em tough.

But sometimes you need a beacon of hope in those trying times and all it really takes is for the Cowboys to notch a win on any given weekend.

They hold a special place for Edmonton’s Mark Sheehan (above), who was rapt when players agreed to sign his artificial leg this week.

“I got this leg just before the grand final in 2015, so we thought it was a bit of a goodluck charm and I’ve had it ever since,” the father-of-one said.

“I had a Queensland one before that though that one doesn’t have any signatures on it. This is the first time I’ve ever got any signatures on one. It’s pretty cool.”

Sheehan lost his right leg in a car accident in 2006 and said the Cowboys inspired positive thinking for so many people in need of a lift.

“All these guys they just do so much for North Queensland. They give you so much hope and they’re all great role models. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “They always have time to sign autographs, always in the regional places and now they’re coming to Cairns and it’s amazing what they do.”

Sheehan will take up the rare chance to see the Cowboys today with his son Mason – one of the club’s youngest members age 1 – and expected the trial hitout to be the start of something special for 2018.

“I think we’ve got more of a chance winning it this year than last year,” he said.