Five things we learned from Cowboys defeat to Wests Tigers

MATT Scott’s representative future uncertain and Johnathan Thurston’s Sydney curse against the Tigers to last forever. Here’s what we learned from the Cowboys’ loss at Leichhardt Oval.

Johnathan Thurston’s Sydney curse against the Tigers continued. Picture. Phil Hillyard

MATT Scott’s representative future uncertain and Johnathan Thurston’s Sydney curse against the Tigers to last forever. Here’s what we learned from the Cowboys’ 20-12 loss at Leichhardt Oval.

1 – THE case for Matt Scott to retire from representative football has only become stronger. While the veteran prop tried hard against the Tigers last night, running for 83m, his team will need him to survive the Origin period.

The Cowboys have now lost seven matches in 10 rounds and their finals hopes are fading fast. They need to have experienced players like Scott around for the months ahead.

Johnathan Thurston’s Sydney curse against the Tigers continued. Picture. Phil Hillyard

2 – JOHNATHAN Thurston will retire having never won against the Tigers in Sydney. In 13 attempts, the Cowboys great has never been able to overcome Wests outside of Townsville. The chances were there last night, but he could not break that hoodoo no matter how hard he tried.

3 – THE Cowboys only have themselves to blame for last night’s performance. They had a 38 per cent completion rate in the second half and made 16 errors – 10 of which came in the final 40 minutes. Given they were able to swing momentum right before halftime, that second half performance was unacceptable.

4 – SHAUN Fensom has to be one of the toughest players in the game. After last year suffering a sickening leg break in the grand final, the Cowboys enforcer looked to be in trouble again last night.

He went down early in the second half with a dislocated elbow but after on-field treatment, he tried to play on. The trainers had to call him from the ground.

Benji Marshall and Johnathan Thurston embrace at full-time. Picture. Phil Hillyard

5 – A LOT of talk this season has been around Thurston’s hopeful fairytale. But it seems another veteran of the game could be edging closer to his own magical farewell. Benji Marshall has not yet decided whether this will be his last year but with the season him and the Tigers are having so far, he could get that finish that every player dreams of.

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