Tough time can pave way to success

WHEN the dust settles on what has been a tumultuous Cowboys campaign, interim coach Josh Hannay says 2020’s struggles will be the making of his young squad.

Results have failed to go their way since rugby league returned from its coronavirusenforced hiatus, but six upand-coming stars have been given their first taste of firstgrade football in that time.

Throw in the added exposure to the NRL pressurecooker for halves Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford, and this year has truly been one of learning for the North Queensland outfit.

Hannay said the players would be hurting now, but they were lessons that needed to be learned in their careers.

He has seen a willingness to fight for the jersey, for the club, and for their pride since he assumed the coaching reins.

Against title contenders Penrith and Melbourne, the side came out swinging in the second half after falling well behind, and Hannay said that resilience would benefit them moving forward.

“Rarely do you come into grade in an environment where it’s all roses. This will hold them in good stead — and I mean that,” he said.

“They’ll look back, and the club will look back, on this period as an important period in our development and regeneration as a squad.

“They’re certainly not throwing in the towel, and I do like that about these young guys. They’re often putting themselves in the holes that they’re in, but they’re fighting to try and dig themselves out of that hole.”

In the 32-12 loss to the Panthers, Drinkwater and Clifford were treated to a masterclass in how young halves can control the flow of a contest.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai took charge through the hands, running for 105m, scoring a try and setting up another.

Halfback Nathan Cleary’s control was the perfect complement, setting up two tries and putting the Cowboys on the back foot off the boot.

“For us as a young footy side, they’re a lesson in where we want to get to as a club,” Hannay said.