Crunch games ahead

THE Cowboys have identified a tough upcoming draw, beginning with two challenging trips to Sydney, as vital to help revive their season before the gruelling State of Origin period kicks in.

The next two months, which include six away matches in eight games, could make or break the Cowboys season as they brace for a brutal test without injured halfback Johnathan Thurston.

A quirk of the draw means North Queensland’s home ground will lie dormant for the entire month of May, meaning the Cowboys must resurrect their season with six road matches in their next eight games.

Six of the Cowboys’ first nine games were at home but they have failed to capitalise, having already lost three times.

They won nine regular season away matches on their way to a maiden premiership in 2015, but that dropped to four last year.

The Cowboys head into the representative round break tenth on the ladder with a 4- 5 record and face tough tests against Canterbury and Cronulla.

“We’ve got some big games down in Sydney, two teams who are going pretty well,” Gavin Cooper said.

“The Dogs have won their last two or three and ( defending premier) Cronulla have picked up from where they were last year.

“It’s a big test, only two games before our first bye and that leads into Origin.”

The Cowboys’ patchy form hasn’t been by helped by the fact three members of their spine in Thurston, Jake Granville and Lachlan Coote have missed much of the season through injury, while Matt Scott ( knee) is out for the year.

Coote ( calf) is tipped to line up against the Dogs, while Granville ( leg) is chance.

The good news for the Cowboys is they will be without their State of Origin players for just one game, against Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park in round 15.

The road stretch will see them visit venues in five different states or territories and the week off could be handy.

Cowboys assistant coach Todd Payten said they weren’t happy with their effort areas in last week’s 26- 6 home loss to Parramatta.

“The next fortnight in particular we have a couple of tough road trips to set us up, and we find out where we’re really at with our full arsenal of players,” Payten said.

“It doesn’t matter where and who we play over this next period, it’s about muscling up with our effort and intensity.

“In particular our defence, our completion rate and our attacking finesses in the attacking 20.” also rated a legitimate