Thurston, Scott help lift intensity at pre- season training Pair picks up pace
COWBOYS coach Paul Green believes the early return of co- captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott has lifted the intensity of their preseason training.
Thurston and Scott aren’t usually sighted this early in the pre- season given their international duties after the NRL season, but both are coming off shortened campaigns due to injury.
The superstar pair are making strong progress in their recoveries and Green said just their presence at training had given a boost to the club’s new recruits and under- 20s graduates.
“It just allows us to do some really quality work before Christmas. Normally those guys are off on rep duties and stuff so we don’t see them,” Green said.
“I think for those younger guys just to have a guy like Johnno around the group in terms of his professionalism and how he prepares for training, I think that’s going to be enormous for us.”
Green has been impressed with the fitness of his returning players, but he added that it was rarely a concern given the club’s strong culture which has taken them to two grand finals in three years.
“The boys have come in pretty good shape. I think as a club we’ve probably moved past those days,” Green said.
“The boys know what’s expected and I think they’ve learnt the hard way that if they do come back in that state then there’s nothing but a bit of pain for them for a few weeks leading into Christmas.
“Benny Hampton must have been chasing a few pigs in his holiday because he came back and ran pretty well.
“There’s a bit of healthy competition there.”
Workhorse forward Shaun Fensom also made an appearance at training yesterday, albeit still using crutches to get around after his horrific leg break three minutes into the grand final.
Fensom has vowed to make a miraculous recovery by Round 1 despite breaking both his tibia and fibula and Green said it was important to have him around the squad even if he can’t train just yet.
“I think whenever you’re injured, you kind of feel a bit left out, so to be back and part of the group in a small way is a good thing for him,” the coach said.