Cowboys fullback Michael Morgan on losing his best friend and learning to love footy again

FULLBACK revelation Michael Morgan has revealed how the worst year of his life inspired his best football.

Cowboys Michael Morgan training session at 1300 Smiles Stadium in Townsville, Queensland. Picture: Wesley Monts

FULLBACK revelation Michael Morgan has revealed how the worst year of his life inspired his best football.

Morgan temporarily quit rugby league last season following the tragic death of best friend and Cowboys’ prodigy Alex Elisala.

There were times when Morgan even hated seeing the Cowboys’ headquarters because it was a reminder that his mate was no longer where he should be.

Morgan has shown outstanding form as the Cowboys surged into the finals.

For all his nine tries, 18 try-assists, 12 linebreaks and 21 linebreak-assists this season, there is a 22-year-old who just wishes his mate was still here.

Morgan’s off-field struggles following Elisala’s passing makes his reinvention as one of the NRL’s best fullbacks even more incredible.

Last season Morgan only played nine games for North Queensland and was a bench utility for feeder club Mackay Cutters in their grand final winning year.

This season, Morgan is the only Cowboy to play every minute in every game.

The reason for his rapid improvement is simple. For the first time in a year, Morgan is happy.

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“It was the toughest year of my life last year I think, well, actually, I know it was the toughest,” Morgan told The Courier-Mail.

“It took some time getting used to coming back here and it not being the same (without Alex).

“Going through all that was very tough but it made me mature as a person ... and that helped my football.”

Everyone in the Cowboys’ close-knit club was severely affected by Elisala’s death but Morgan was one of his closest friends and understandably took it the hardest.

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Alex Elisala was a rising star for North Queensland before his suicide last year.

Elisala, a rising star at the Cowboys who committed suicide in April last year, will always be in Morgan’s thoughts but now he can concentrate on football without the what-ifs plaguing his sleepless nights.

“Off the field life’s really good at the moment and that helps,” Morgan said.

“It was very tough.

“I have enjoyed footy, enjoyed coming to training this year which makes everything easier.”

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Morgan is finally feeling enjoying life again after the death of his friend Alex Elisala.

Morgan will be a major threat to the Brisbane Broncos this Saturday night in Townsville.

In their previous finals derby of 2012, Morgan scored a hat-trick in his breakout performance.

A half, centre or five-eighth as a junior, Morgan was shifted to fullback in February following a cruel season-ending injury to Lachlan Coote.

He studied tapes of Billy Slater and Anthony Minichiello to learn the position but has arguably outperformed both this season.

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However, Morgan could only have four games left as a fullback as Coote will be injury free next year.

Coote’s return to fitness will present a welcome selection headache for coach Paul Green.

“At the moment I'm a fullback so yeah, that's where I see myself,” Morgan said.

“For the rest of this year ... yeah that’s how I'm thinking. I am a lot more used to fullback now.

“I haven’t thought about next year though. It has been a good year. I have enjoyed it.”