Lowe ready to take battering
ETHAN Lowe’s commitment to North Queensland’s premiership charge is written across his battle weary face.
The workhorse backrower has been sporting a nasty shiner to his right eye this week as the Cowboys prepare to tackle the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final.
The black eye was the result of a head clash early in their preliminary final victory over the Roosters, but it could also be considered a badge of honour for Lowe’s tireless work ethic throughout the finals.
The 26- year- old isn’t one to talk himself up, but his performances paint a picture of a player who is always willing to put his body on the line to help the team.
Lowe made 24 tackles against the Roosters and didn’t miss one.
He also nailed a perfect six from six with the boot, including a clutch sideline conversion late in the game with his right eye almost swollen shut after the earlier knock.
Those effort plays have almost become a habit for the Goondiwindi product after he made a crucial oneon- one try- saving tackle on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses in the semifinals.
Lowe has had to avoid contact at training this week with his black eye, but after playing all 27 games for the Cowboys this season, he was adamant he would leave nothing in the tank for the grand final.
“I’m looking a treat at the moment. I’ve gone from a nine to an eight, but it’s all sweet. Just a bit of a black eye, that’s about it,” he said.
“It swelled up pretty good during the game, but the swelling’s come down now and it’s just a bit black so I’ll be all good.”
While the Cowboys have enjoyed a fairytale run to the grand final from eighth place, the clinical Storm will no doubt be their greatest challenge.
North Queensland will face a relentless barrage through the middle against a Melbourne forward pack including the likes of Jesse Bromwich, Jordan McLean, and Nelson AsofaSolomona.
But with a second premiership in three years up for grabs, Lowe said the Cowboys weren’t about to back down.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge. They’ve been the best side in the comp all year,” Lowe said.
“They won the minor premiership pretty easy so you know what you’re going to come up against.
“It’s a grand final. Everyone’s playing for all the marbles now so there’s always going to be some sort of pressure on you.
“They’re going to be big and strong and they’re going to try and dominate that middle third and the ruck area so we’re going to have to be ready for it.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green has tried to avoid singling out players in the lead- up to the grand final, with the team’s culture built on the smaller effort plays which often went unnoticed.
But Green said it was crucial that players like Lowe continue to stand tall in those game- changing moments if the Cowboys were to make history and win the premiership from outside the top four.