Fear team crumbling under pressure
NORTH Queensland are buckling under the pressure to provide Johnathan Thurston a dream farewell, the playmaker’s former Queensland teammate Justin Hodges says. And Hodges believes Thurston may also be distracted by his looming retirement.
Alarm bells are ringing at the Cowboys after the early title favourites slumped to their sixth loss in seven NRL games.
They are second last with two wins after a third of the regular season.
Maroons great Hodges believes the Cowboys are succumbing to the pressure to back up from their shock 2017 grand final appearance and send retiring winner.
“What they did last year was terrific. Now they have to back it up this year knowing it is JT’s last season – I think they put too much pressure on themselves,” Hodges told Fox Sports’ Queenslanders Only.
Former Queensland lock Corey Parker could not see a happy end to Thurston’s glittering 14- season career after the Cowboys lost 18- 8 to Canberra on Saturday. It was the first time they had been beaten by the Raiders in Townsville since 2006.
“It could be a very disappointing year for one of the game’s greatest – they are struggling,” Parker said. co- captain Thurston out a
Hodges also wondered whether veteran playmaker Thurston was also being sidetracked by his looming retirement.
“I would like to know what JT is thinking at the moment,” Hodges said.
“Is he thinking about the end? Is he worried about it too much? And so much pressure is put on him. That’s what it looks like – everything has just fallen to him ( to spark the side).”
Hodges feared the Cowboys were still physically paying the price for their run to the 2017 grand final.
“With the Cowboys, I don’t know whether they are unfit or just burnt out from last season,” Hodges said.