Exorcising ghosts of Allianz
IT’S the finals graveyard which has been the scene of much September mourning for the Cowboys.
But North Queensland stars Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo are adamant they aren’t intimidated by Allianz Stadium, despite their premiership hopes ending there in five of the last six seasons.
The Cowboys have lost seven straight games at the Sydney venue, including five finals, before tomorrow’s cutthroat final with Cronulla.
Their 2015 premiership was the only time in the last six years their title aspirations haven’t ended at the venue.
In 2012, a try incorrectly awarded to Manly after Kieran Foran knocked on in the lead- up saw the Cowboys season go up in smoke. The following year, a Sharks try to Beau Ryan scored off a seventh tackle proved pivotal in a 20- 18 loss.
Cronulla outlasted North Queensland 32- 20 in last year’s preliminary final before winning their maiden premiership the week after.
In all, the Cowboys have lost six straight finals at Allianz dating back to 2007. Their last win there was against the Roosters in 2010, and their last victory in a final was in 2005 against Melbourne.
Morgan is one of only two players who will run out for North Queensland to have won a game as a Cowboy at the ground.
But he insisted the record is a non- factor and the undermanned Cowboys won’t be haunted by the ghosts of the past.
“Before Greeny ( coach Paul Green) got here the talk was we couldn’t win away from home and that’s certainly not spoken about any more,” Morgan said.
“But because we haven’t had a win at this stadium in particular, it’s now we can’t win at Allianz.
“It used to be we can’t win at ANZ ( Stadium), we ended up winning a comp there and it stopped that talk.
“As a team we don’t think about it at all, it’s another footy field. I actually like this stadium myself, I’d rather play there than Shark Park.”
Taumalolo agrees, but he’s already well aware of the Cowboys’ poor record at the ground. Ticket sales have also been slow for the match, which could work in North Queensland’s favour.
“I definitely thinks it’s a disadvantage for the Sharks ( not playing at Shark Park),” Taumalolo said.
“Earning a spot in the bottom half of the top eight, you’d expect to be playing at your home ground.
“In saying that, Allianz hasn’t been too nice to us either and I’m hoping that will change on Sunday.”