North Queensland Cowboys may crumble on lack of belief, writes Darren Lockyer

DARREN LOCKYER: Despite their remarkable past six weeks, I am still not convinced the Cowboys can win a premiership.

TODAY is D-Day for the Cowboys.

Despite their remarkable fightback in the past six weeks, I am still not convinced the Cowboys can win a watershed premiership. The best evidence of their title credentials will come on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium. If the Cowboys can overcome the Sharks, it will give them the self-belief and impetus to go where no North Queensland team has before.

The issue for the Cowboys this season seems to be pressure, or a lack of it. The side has responded in the last six weeks. The form surge coincided with the sacking of coach Neil Henry, a move which has been viewed as a pressure-valve moment that eased tensions and enabled Cowboys players to play with a sense of freedom. The irony is the pressure has now returned.

When the Broncos beat the Cowboys in Townsville just before Henry's termination, no-one gave them a hope of making the finals. Suddenly, with the call to sack Henry, the side felt unshackled. They played on instinct. They played free of worry or burden.

Now, incredibly, they are in the playoffs - and with it comes the type of expectation that saw the Cowboys hailed as top-four material in the pre-season.

A kill in the finals will do wonders for their confidence. It will establish a belief that they can make an impact in the play-offs.

Probably the worst thing that could have happened was the Cowboys beating the Sharks just two weeks ago. That defeat will teach Cronulla some lessons. To a degree, the Cowboys ambushed Cronulla on their home turf. The Sharks were without Todd Carney that day.

This time, there will be no complacency.

There is a touch of intrigue about the Cowboys' revival. It is a chicken-or-the egg scenario. There are those who argue Henry's dumping was premature. The counter-argument is that it was an agonising but necessary call - a reality check that has opened the players' eyes and salvaged their season.

As a player, it is never easy to see your coach take a fall. I vividly remember the day in February, 2008, when Wayne Bennett called the players in and told us his time was up. When the words came out of his mouth, a great sadness overcame the players.

It felt like someone had passed away.

Neil Henry

For the rest of the year, we had to contend with the knowledge Wayne was leaving, but pride in performance kept us going. The result mattered to us. We finished two wins short of the grand final.

I can see the same pride in performance among this North Queensland group. I covered the game for Channel Nine when the Broncos beat the Cowboys and the whisper was Neil Henry was gone if they lost. At the time, I said on air that it might be premature for Neil to get the sack. I felt there were plenty of games for Neil to find answers, and enough games to find some form to finish the season on a positive note.

On reflection, the Cowboys board made the right call. Had they waited and allowed Henry that time, the Cowboys wouldn't be playing finals football right now.

Sometimes the hardest decisions provide the most clarity. The players were clearly distracted by the constant innuendo. Removing that innuendo gave the group focus and certainty.

The improvement in the Cowboys since has been gradual, almost imperceptible. But there is clearly a different dynamic. It is a shame Ray Thompson suffered a broken jaw, because he brought a new spark to the side at hooker with his performances around the rucks.

Thurston

With Johnathan Thurston now getting more support from a rejuvenated Matt Bowen, the Cowboys are getting their old groove back. But whether they truly believe they can go all the way will be answered today.

Ray Thompson