Hess Express eyes return to Maroons
I w as obviously a bit cut to b e left out, but I guess it lit the fire in me ... I’ m just trying to play good club footy. COEN HESS
VERSATILITY could be what works in Coen Hess’ favour as he seeks to return to the State of Origin arena.
Despite taking a spot on the edge for the majority of his NRL career, the 24-yearold has found a new home in the Cowboys line-up as a starting prop under Todd Payten.
Initially the move was explained by the North Queensland coach as a bid to simplify his role and enable him to do what he does best — make use of his size and leg speed to generate momentum.
It coincided with a turnaround in form for Hess, who went from struggling to make
an impact out wide to a crucial figure in the middle of the field who has enabled hooker Reece Robson to take advantage of his dummy-half running game.
Hess fell just shy of taking part in the historic Origin clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, forced to watch on as 18th man while his Maroons teammates were dominated across the board.
Both tough to watch and a harsh pill to swallow, Hess said he felt reinvigorated to add to his six Origin caps.
And his ability to slot in anywhere in the forward pack could be his ticket to grabbing a spot on the bench for Sunday week’s do or die showdown.
“Whatever my job, to be in that team I’d take with both hands. But I guess the more positions you can play it only adds to that interchange role,” Hess said.
“It’s just how you play club footy, that’s the only way you can get selected in those teams.
“It was a bit weird I suppose. It was obviously good to get into the camp, I love going into those camps.
“I suppose it was a bit funny, a little bit strange as well watching the boys warm up. I didn’t get suited up, I was just in my suit, and I really felt a good feel in the warm up.
“I was obviously a bit cut to be left out, but I guess it lit the fire in me so to speak and I’m
just trying to play good club footy.”
Given the way the Cowboys were outclassed against Manly in their 50-18 drubbing last week, Hess has honed in on a return to form at clubland.
Only skipper Jason Taumalolo topped 100 running metres in Friday’s contest, while Martin Taupau led a Sea Eagles pack of rookies to a dominant display.
As they prepare to take on former interim coach Josh Hannay and his Cronulla Sharks, Hess said the onus was on he and his fellow forwards to stand up.
While there was danger upfront for the boys from the Shire, he said they needed to
ensure enough pressure was being placed on the livewire halves pairing of Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan.
“Their (Manly’s) forward pack really took it to us, we probably let the team down a bit,” Hess said.
“It was no surprise what we were focusing on at training, it was a lot of defence, that’s the area we need to be good in against the Sharks.
“Their playmakers especially, if you give them half a second to make a decision nine times out of 10 they’ll be on the spot.
“We’ve shown in the past two months of footy that’s not us, and it’s safe to say we took a backwards step there on the weekend.”