Michael Morgan has overcome the tragic death of Alex Elisala to fire Cowboys

BEHIND the hoopla of Johnathan Thurston’s 200th game on Saturday night, the real triumph is Michael Morgan.

JOHNATHAN Thurston will celebrate his 200th club game on Saturday night but behind the hoopla surrounding the Cowboys’ most important player, the real triumph is Michael Morgan.

It has been just over a year since Morgan’s world caved in, with the tragic death of his good mate Alex Elisala plunging the Cowboys into mourning.

They were inseparable as teenagers and Morgan briefly lived with the Elisala family before he and Alex graduated into North Queensland’s junior ranks.

Michael Morgan has been in stunning form for the Cowboys.

Twelve months ago, Elisala’s loss hit Morgan so hard the Cowboys closely monitored his mental wellbeing.

Today, Morgan is flourishing in his new fullback role, emphatically stepping into Matt Bowen’s role terrorising the Broncos in last week’s Queensland derby.

It was a performance that underscored his maturity after a year of tumult and Morgan will look to continue his red-hot form against Roosters custodian Anthony Minichiello.

“Morgs has been unbelievable for us this year,” Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott said.

“The loss of Alex really rocked him for a long time.

“You don’t always know the effect that sort of tragedy can have on individuals and Morgs was extremely close with Leki.

The tragic death of Alex Elisala had a big impact on Michael Morgan.

“I know it hurt him a lot and it affected him more than a lot of people knew.

“That’s why it’s so good to see him taking hold of this No. 1 jersey and playing such dominant footy.

“He is playing with more maturity and he’s showed a lot of courage to bounce back from what happened.’’

The Cowboys’ fullback plans were in tatters in February when key off-season recruit Lachlan Coote underwent a knee reconstruction after collapsing at the Auckland Nines. Former halfback Morgan has answered the SOS so well that coach Paul Green is reluctant to shift him.

“He has been awesome for us, but he still can be better,” Green said.

“He can kick as well and that’s basically what you need these days as a fullback. Having played in the halves gives him that game sense.”

Football manager Peter Parr said Morgan needed support after Elisala’s death.

“He really struggled last year,” he said. “There’s no manual on coping with a tragedy but I have enormous respect for Morgs with the way he fought on.

“He has always been a team-first player and this shows it again.”

While Morgan will be a threat tonight, Thurston is bracing for a defensive assault from makeshift Roosters five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams, his former Bulldogs teammate.