Cowboys’ Michael Morgan admits NRL form slump and vows to rediscover his best

MICHAEL Morgan has vowed to lift his game and ease the strain on Johnathan Thurston as he comes to terms with the grind of post-Origin football.

Cowboys v Rabbitohs NRL game

MICHAEL Morgan has vowed to lift his game and ease the strain on Johnathan Thurston as he comes to terms with the grind of post-Origin football.

Morgan travels to New Zealand to face the Warriors on Saturday night primed to rediscover the attacking brilliance for the Cowboys that saw him clinch a shock Maroons debut in May.

The 23-year-old was so impressive he dislodged Daly Cherry-Evans for the Origin decider but the past fortnight has raised fears Morgan is feeling the pinch from his first Maroons campaign.

The classy five-eighth was quiet in the Cowboys’ 30-18 loss to Cronulla, making only three runs for 41 metres. Morgan was more dominant last week against Souths, scoring a try and setting up another, but was guilty of kicking out on the full early in the Cowboys’ second straight defeat.

With NRL rivals increasingly targeting Thurston, Morgan pledged to take on more playmaking responsibility in the run to the finals, starting against a monster Warriors pack.

“I haven’t been overly stoked with how I’ve been going, but I’ve recognised that and I need to improve,” Morgan said.

HAVE A SAY: Take the NRL fans’ survey

SECRET WEAPON: Cows’ teenage wrecking ball

Morgan admits he may be feeling the effects of Origin after a long season.

“I’d like to be going better. The last few weeks I haven’t been happy with my performance, I feel I have to be involved a bit more.

“That’s one thing I’ve learned the last few weeks and that will be my goal for the back end of the season, to stay involved and help guys like JT (Thurston) and Jake (Granville).

“The other week the Sharks defended me well, so it’s up to me to try and change that. If something doesn’t work, I can’t drift out of the game. I have to keep working on things.”

After 11 consecutive Origin campaigns, Thurston is acutely aware of the challenge of overcoming the representative grind to finish strongly at the business end of the season.

Backing up from Origin is a new experience for Morgan but the Maroons’ supersub insists he is not suffering a hangover from Queensland’s magical 52-6 victory in Game Three.

“It was my first Origin series but first grade is still very exciting for me,” Morgan said.

“It’s not like I’m a 200-game veteran who has done it all before. It’s good to be playing NRL, the good thing now is there is something to look forward to with the finals.

“As a club, knowing we are in a good position motivates you to play well.”

Morgan does not believe his breakthrough as an Origin player has made him a target.

“I have JT on the field so teams would be looking at him more than me,’’ he said.

“I just need to staying involved for longer periods. I’ve spoken to Greeny (coach Paul Green) about it as well. It’s more staying in the game and not sitting back and watching.’’