North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein called on his brother’s spirit during his NRL return

COWBOYS winger Antonio Winterstein called on his brother Francis’s spirit as he made his return to the NRL in Monday night’s win over Melbourne.

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DRAWING on superhuman strength in the aftermath of his life’s toughest chapter, Antonio Winterstein believes he is now bound to his Cowboys teammates forever.

Winterstein has revealed he “spoke” to younger brother Francis during Monday night’s 18-17 extra time victory over the Melbourne Storm, and felt his spirit just as it looked like the occasion may have got the better of him.

Francis — better known as Fotu to his friends and family — took his own life recently, with Winterstein farewelling his beloved brother the week before Monday’s clash.

“I spoke to him a lot during the game,” Winterstein said, who scored two tries in a performance that also yielded 150m.

“He really helped me through the tough times and I was fatigued there a bit, but I asked for his help.

“I definitely wasn’t out there by myself.

“I blew a few cobwebs out and it was good to be back in the team and do my bit for the boys.

“(Their support) has been amazing; you really see everyone’s true colours in times like this and the love and support that the boys have showed me is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“They’re like brothers to me, so they’ve really been there for me in the hard times and I can’t wait to repay them on the field.”

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Winterstein takes on the Melbourne defence.

The Cowboys will clash against the Panthers this Monday in their first game at Penrith’s Pepper Stadium since Round 23 of last season, with Penrith winning that game 23-22 via a Matt Moylan field goal.

Cowboys coach Paul Green has already spoken of his wish to avoid a repeat of his team’s extra-time heroics, but Winterstein is certain another close game lies in store.

“Penrith is not an easy game wherever you play them,” he said.

“They’ve got talent across the field and their outside backs are probably the strength in their team, so we just have to be ready to match it.

“Hopefully we just continue with what we’ve done on Monday night.”

Winterstein was there for that Round 23 game, which saw the Cowboys start as favourites after riding a four-game winning streak, and in similarly high spirits as they are now.

Winterstein got the Cowboys level at 22-all with a late try in the corner before Moylan broke North Queensland hearts with his calm field goal.

“That was a tough game to swallow. I remember we played pretty good throughout the game and then when it came to that moment of the game we just switched off,” Winterstein said.

“Hopefully we can stay focused for the full 80 this time.”

Originally published as North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein called on his brother’s spirit during his NRL return