Darren Lockyer outlines a five-point plan to rescue North Queensland ahead of 2019 season

THE recruitment of Valentine Holmes is a vital step in launching the Cowboys’ resurrection next season, according to Darren Lockyer who has outlined his five-point plan for their fightback.

Darren Lockyer looks out how the Cowboys can overcome an underwhelming season. Picture: Brendan Radke

SATURDAY night’s clash between the Roosters and Cowboys could have easily been a dress rehearsal for this year’s NRL grand final.

Instead, it will be a sad snapshot of the gulf that has emerged between two recent premiership teams ... and the steps the Cowboys must take to hit back as a serious contender next season.

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Darren Lockyer looks out how the Cowboys can overcome an underwhelming season. Picture: Brendan Radke

Culturally, North Queensland have established some structures that can stand the test of time. I don’t believe the club needs to be ripped apart, but the Cowboys need to inject some new energy and make some critical adjustments to ensure they regenerate quickly.

Here is a five-point plan that can help launch a Cowboys fightback:

The Cowboys have failed to overcome a big year in 2017. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

1. The hangover:

The silver lining to the Cowboys missing the finals this season is the fresh springboard they will enjoy for the 2019 pre-season. The extended break will give several of their seasoned guys a chance to wipe the slate clean physically and mentally and return recharged. The Cowboys really felt the effects of a grand final campaign, followed by the World Cup tournament. As a squad this season, the Cowboys have looked tired, with key men such as Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo shouldering a huge workload in 2017. Missing the playoffs will be the freshen-up the Cowboys need.

Lockyer says the Cowboys can learn plenty from the Melbourne Storm. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

2. Storm chasers:

If you look at best practice in the code, Melbourne’s sustained success suggests they are the NRL benchmark. Many rival clubs, the Cowboys included, can learn valuable lessons from the Storm and the measures they take to remain at the cutting edge. Their coach, Craig Bellamy, never allows his roster to go stale. He rarely presides over sweeping change, instead making clever tweaks to keep the Storm juggernaut humming along. A few new recruits each year is sometimes all that is needed. The Cowboys can take a leaf from the Melbourne Storm.

Lockyer believes Valentine Holmes is a perfect fit for the club. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

3. The targets:

The Cowboys need more energy in the group. They need fresh blood. Fresh legs. They may not have the salary-cap space to embark on a huge recruitment drive but their older players could benefit enormously from the injection of younger faces. It not only keeps the older guys on their toes, but the best senior players don’t like failing their rookie peers. It can be a positive challenge to their leadership. Corey Oates is off-contract at the Broncos, while Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes are free agents for 2020. The Cowboys can’t afford both Munster and Holmes, so if I had to choose one big scalp, I’d target Holmes. I see him developing into the complete fullback. His speed and attacking potency could spark the Cowboys backline and really complement Michael Morgan.

Johnathan Thurston’s retirement leaves a gap that must be filled by a new leader. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

4. The leader:

Who will step up for the retiring Johnathan Thurston next year? For me, Michael Morgan is ready to fill JT’s throne. Winning tight games without Thurston’s composure and influence will be an issue for the Cowboys next season, but I have no doubt Morgan is up to the task. I look at the dynamics of the Cowboys last year when Thurston was injured and Morgan relished the extra responsibility, driving the side all the way to the grand final. With Morgan back fully fit from bicep surgery next season, he should shine in the No.7 jumper.

The Cowboys need to find a foil for hooker Jake Granville. Picture: Evan Morgan

5. The spine:

The Cowboys need more from hooker Jake Granville, which entails finding a tactical solution to ease the burden on him. I think he has felt the effects of playing too many minutes in recent years. Coach Paul Green needs to find an interchange foil to fine-tune Granville’s game time, which would help him freshen him up to be more of an attacking threat. I think Ben Hampton can be that player. Granville is one of several guys who will benefit from a good break and come back firing in 2019.

Lockyer applauded the NRL’s handling of the Immortals night. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

MENINGA, PROVAN RIGHTFULLY GIVEN IMMORTAL STATUS

JUST on the unveiling of the five Immortals on Wednesday night, what a wonderful occasion for the code. I was truly humbled to be short-listed and I didn’t appreciate some of the achievements of the pre-War candidates until I learned about their stories. What Dally Messenger, Frank Burge and Dave Brown achieved was quite amazing.

At one point, I looked around the room at some of the legends thinking how fortunate I felt to be in their company.

I wasn’t disappointed at all to miss out on Immortal status. Norm Provan and Mal Meninga have been controversial omissions for a long time and now they have their rightful place in the game.