GETTING THE JOB DUNN
COWBOYS RECORD LOW LOOMS
COWBOYS forward Mitch Dunn ( pictured) may have grown up a Brisbane fan, but his desire to send Gavin Cooper out a winner has him determined to bestow the dreaded wooden spoon on the Broncos.
It has been a season to forget for the North Queensland outfit, one which is a derby loss away from being their worst since 1999, but they could still take solace in condemning their state rivals to the piece of unwanted cutlery.
“Growing up I was a Brisbane fan until I moved up here … hopefully we can get the win and give them the wooden spoon,” Dunn said.
COWBOYS forward Mitch Dunn may have grown up a Brisbane fan, but his desire to send Gavin Cooper out a winner has him determined to bestow the dreaded wooden spoon upon the Broncos.
It has been a season to forget for the North Queensland outfit, one which is a derby loss away from being their worst since 1999, but they could still take solace in condemning their state rivals to the piece of unwanted cutlery.
While the coronavirus pandemic has stripped the NRL of a full season length, even a fifth win for the Cowboys would equal their 2010 campaign — when they were spared bottom place only by the Melbourne Storm’s salary cap scandal.
The absence of Broncos powerhouse David Fifita will aid the Cowboys cause on Thursday, after the State of Origin star succumbed to a syndesmosis injury in Brisbane’s loss to Parramatta.
This will also be Dunn’s last chance to prove to incoming coach Todd Payten he belongs in the club’s backrow ahead of the pre-season, and that he deserves to extend his run in the starting side throughout 2021.
But given what Cooper has done for his career thus far, the 23-year-old said that would be enough to fuel him to put in a big performance.
“Growing up, I was a Brisbane fan until I moved up here. It’s disappointing, so hopefully we can get the win and give them the wooden spoon,”
Dunn said.
“Being Coops’ last game, he’s done a lot for me in learning the backrow and everything off him, so I really want to send him out on a good note,” he said.
Despite the lean campaign in terms of results, 2020 has been one in which Dunn has begun to establish himself as a regular first-grader.
He has cemented himself in the starting backrow since Josh Hannay took over from the resigning Paul Green, and impressed the interim coach with his work ethic and continued endeavours to improve.
And yet, Dunn is not satisfied. Each week has been a new period of adjustment, as the young forward grows into his role as an 80-minute player.
While the shoulder injuries that have plagued him in the past are long forgotten, Dunn says he is still attempting to find his feet as a week-in, week-out player.
“I’m still kind of getting that feel for playing 80 minutes in the backrow and backing up each week,” Dunn said.
“I’m still trying to find my feet, be consistent and all the little effort areas at the moment — that’s probably what we’ve been lacking a bit and it’s been costly.
“I’ve only been, in the last couple of games this year, backing up each week, and the toll it takes on your body — I’m still getting used to that. It’s been challenging, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”