Think big, Cowboys told
“I know at Brisbane they’ve looked for an Allan Langer now for 20 years, and there’s no Allan Langer coming through,” Tallis said.
“Parramatta are still looking for a Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling.
“These are once in a generation players – once in lifetime players – and the Cowboys found out this year it’s going to be a big hole without Thurston
“So I know the Cowboys can’t look for a new Thurston, WYNNUM Manly will take on Townsville for a spot in the Intrust Super Cup decider after claiming a thrilling 20-16 semi-final win over defending premiers Redcliffe at Kougari Oval.
The Seagulls shot out of the blocks with an early penalty goal. The ill-disciplined Dolphins helped their cause with four penalties, easing the path upfield before fullback Edene Gebbie scored the opening try midway through the half.
Kalolo Saitaua dotted down five minutes later to extend Wynnum-manly’s lead to 14-0, with Redcliffe failing to score in the opening term.
But Adam Mogg’s side because there’s not Thurston out there.
“But I like the way Jake Clifford plied his craft, especially against the Roosters (in round 17).
“Morgo (Michael Morgan), the poor bugger, I think has been down on confidence and has been injured all year, and I think the last couple of years he’s played injured.”
Tallis believes the Cowboys should focus on bolstering the outside backs during the upcoming pre-season. a new emerged a different after half-time.
Harrison Smith needed just 80 seconds to score in the second half and momentum shifted towards the Dolphins with Jamil Hopoate impressing across the paddock.
A Kelly Tate try failed to dampen Redcliffe’s enthusiasm as Hopoate and Josh Beehag crossed to bring the score to 20-16.
The final minutes saw Sam Scarlett and Trai Fuller produce defensive matchsavers, and WynnumManly’s goalkicker Pat Templeman shut down a lastgasp raid to cap a perfect afternoon from the tee.
Man of the match Scarlett paid tribute to the 2018 premiers after the win. beast
“It was a tough game, (Redcliffe) kept coming but we knew we just had to be strong in the back half,” Scarlett said.
Meanwhile, two Nat Mcgavin tries helped minor premiers Sunshine Coast keep their season alive as Easts farewelled coach Scott Sipple in a 22-14 blockbuster at Kawana.
The Falcons looked set to bomb out in straight sets when Jack Peoples crossed to hand the Tigers a 14-6 lead in the 51st minute, but Mcgavin completed a three-try fightback to set up a preliminary final clash with Burleigh at Pizzey Park.
Chris Lewis and Siti Moceidreke were Sunshine Coast’s other try scorers.
The Cowboys were dealt a major blow when they sacked star fullback recruit Ben Barba before the season had even started because of disciplinary reasons.
Then former Dragons winger Nene Macdonald – a prized signing by the Cowboys – parted ways with North Queensland in July following a traffic incident.
“The big back three are such an important part of the game now,” Tallis said.
“That’s why you don’t need front-rowers, because they (the back three) make the hitups. You look at the metres (Blake) Ferguson and all those wingers like Corey Oates make.
“They’re so important and the Cowboys lost their back three right at the beginning of the season, which put a hole in their season.
“They need some big outside backs; they’re hanging on the availability of Valentine Holmes … but I’d be out on the market maybe signing a Corey Oates, I’d be buying some real big outside backs.”
Tallis praised the form of recent signing Scott Drinkwater and also North Queensland’s forward pack, which has lost its veteran Matt Scott to a healthenforced retirement.
“They’re a good, hardworking forward pack,” Tallis said.
“I’d like to see Jordan Mclean have a really good, hard off-season, and he did break his foot, and all their key forwards have missed a part of the season.”