Triumph of will
THE Cowboys are used to being the hunted. Littered with stars, North Queensland have been perennial top four contenders before the football gods dealt them a bad hand.
But rather than fold and walk away, the team has thrived on those outside the club walls telling them that without Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, and with a number of others playing busted, they’re not good enough.
When Thurston was ruled out for the year with a shoulder injury suffered in Queensland’s Origin II win, the Cowboys were instantly dismissed as a premiership threat.
Others like Michael Morgan and Scott Bolton have stepped up, while Dally M medallist Jason Taumalolo has gone to another level when many thought it impossible.
These are the 13 reasons why North Queensland can create a rugby league fairytale and lift the trophy on the first Sunday in October.
13: Jason Taumalolo – Who else but the freakish talent in the No. 13 jersey? Without Matt Scott to ease the load, rival forwards have ganged up on Jase but he has thrived on the challenge. He has still managed to churn out more metres than any other player this year at the astonishing rate of 205 per game.
12: A “free hit” – The Cowboys are used to having a target on their backs in September. But after limping into finals with five losses in six matches, and a ridiculous injury toll, there is no outside pressure. “We were meant to be cannon fodder,” triumphant Cowboys coach Paul Green said to media after beating the Sharks last week.
11: Composure – The Cowboys had it in 2015 when they outlasted Brisbane in the grand final in golden point. Same, too, when they bested the Broncos again in extra time in last year’s finals.
10: Unbelievable pain tolerance – The Cowboys dressing room looks like a scene from MASH after every game. Ice bags are plentiful as the players who are soldiering on busted nurse their wounds. Te Maire Martin is just 21 but is playing with a knee injury which should sideline him for a month. John Asiata has a broken hand and a wounded Shaun Fensom probably invented the word resilience.
9: A second chance – In round 26 as the Dragons played the Bulldogs, Cowboys players would have had a beer at the ready, while also having their training bag packed. The amber ale was unopened as the Bulldogs pulled off an upset, meaning North Queensland squeezed into eighth place.
8: The best fans – You could be forgiven for thinking the Beatles had landed at Townsville airport on Monday, such was the raucous reception the team received returning home from beating Cronulla. It’s a reminder there are people in their corner.
7: The best replacement halfback possible – The pressure which comes with wearing Thurston’s famous No. 7 jersey is immeasurable. Michael Morgan, who usually plays Robin to Thurston’s Batman and focuses on his own game, has found his feet as the organiser. It took him a few weeks but Morgan’s matchwinning field goal last week continued his knack of rising to the occasion.
6: Young blood – The Cowboys have blooded more debutants than they have in several seasons this year. Martin has fitted in perfectly since arriving mid- season from Penrith, Corey “The Terminator” Jensen has flexed his muscles and others have played pinch- hitting roles.
5: Extra ‘ assistant coaches’ – Despite their injuries Thurston and Scott are mainstays in the dressing sheds on road trips. They have the ability to cast an eye over the team’s preparation, and offer valuable insight when required.
4: The coach – Paul Green has been backed as a potential Dally M coach of the year for good reason. Injuries have forced him to drastically change his team’s style and tactics, but he’s found a way to allow his team to stay in the arm wrestle.
3: A recent premiership – It’s their sole title to date, but the 2015 premiership eased a big burden on the Cowboys to win a premiership in the Thurston era. Other teams in the finals aren’t so lucky.
2: Mental strength – Aside from Melbourne, the sides left in the competition have often had a susceptibility to beating themselves with errors, illdiscipline or a mental let- down.
1: Culture – All season the Cowboys have been told they’re treading water. When the big games come around, the class sitting on the sidelines will tell. They’ve been given countless invitations to bow to those excuses, in particular by the media. Giving up isn’t in their DNA. valuable