Injuries strike Cowboys in narrow 22-20 loss to Sea Eagles
Jordan McLean headlined a stacked injury list for North Queensland on a tough night that saw the locals fall 22-20 to a resilient Manly outfit in Townsville.
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North Queensland’s injury woes have continued in Saturday night’s 22-20 loss to Manly in Townsville.
Injuries to vice-captain Jordan McLean and utility player Mitch Dunn forced the Cowboys to finish the match with just 12 players on the field.
In a bizarre decision, coach Paul Green used up all eight of his interchange options with 10 minutes to go when McLean hobbled off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, leaving just 12 men on the field.
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In a seesawing affair at 1300 Smiles Stadium, the Cowboys were boosted by the return of Origin stars Michael Morgan and Josh McGuire but couldn’t seal the win in an error-riddled and ill-disciplined match.
The Cowboys looked as if they had changed their season when they led 20-16 with 20 minutes to go but a lack of attacking flair coupled with a controversial refereeing decision on a possible Reuben Cotter try on debut left North Queensland with a 6-7 win-loss record and now sitting outside the top eight.
The loss was compounded by the injuries to Dunn and McLean who now join the growing Cowboys casualty ward, which features the likes of Matt Scott, Jordan Kahu, Te Maire Martin, Nene Macdonald and Gideon Gela-Mosby.
The Cowboys looked the better team and should have won on the back of another monumental performance by Jason Taumalolo, who ran for 285m.
If they have any hope of getting into top eight contention, North Queensland will need to improve their attacking ability after everything was left up to skipper Michael Morganon Saturday night.
Young halfback Jake Clifford and five-eighth John Asiata weren’t able to steer the team around as the main playmakers.
Morgan may have been wearing the No.1 jersey, in place of the injured Jordan Kahu, but he was still the chief playmaker.
He had a hand in two of North Queensland’s three tries, including a pinpoint kick to winger Kyle Feldt who batted the ball down to Tom Opacic to score.
The Sea Eagles were buoyed by the return of Trbojevic from a hamstring injury but the Origin representative had a hesitant night out in Townsville.
The fullback made five errors at fullback in his return back to footy and will need to dust of the cobwebs to get back to his scintillating best.
Clifford made some crucial errors in the first half as North Queensland struggled with their attack.
A kick out on the full and a knock-on in the 19th minute swung momentum into Manly’s favour who capitalised with seven back-to-back sets resulting in two tries.
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But he was able to redeem himself with his goalkicking skills, nailing two crucial conversions from the sideline to claim the lead just before halftime.
Manly were first to cross the line through backrowers Curtis Sironen and Joel Thompson before the Cowboys swung the tide back into their favour and posted three tries in six minutes.
Feldt continues to defy the odds by scoring a spectacular try in the right corner before setting up an even more brilliant four-pointer to inside centre Tom Opacic.
One of North Queensland’s most underrated forwards Francis Molo scored his first NRL try on the halftime buzzer.
Manly were left to 12 men after Jack Gosiewski was sin-binned for a professional foul.
A controversial referees’ decision robbed debutant Reuben Cotter of a try in his first NRL match.
Manly five-eighth Cade Cust crossed in the 61st minute to claim back the lead and finish the match 22-20 victors.
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED
1) Jason Taumalolo isn’t slowing down, even in a brave losing side. The human wrecking ball ran for 285m and made three tackle breaks despite going down 22-20 to Manly. The incredible performance was marred by two crucial errors at the death of the game as the Cowboys attempted to seal the win.
2) Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans impressed in his return to club footy, backing up Wednesday night’s win for Queensland with a victory for Manly in Townsville. The captain was safe, without being great, setting up a try and controlling the momentum of the game when needed.
3) Cowboys halves Jake Clifford and John Asiata need to improve their ability to set up tries. Asiata’s kicking game is pinpoint perfect while Clifford’s conversion-kicking skills proved essential but it was their ability to take control of the match and send players over to score which was missing on Saturday night.
4) Skipper Michael Morgan was outstanding in his back-up performance from Origin. Playing out of position at fullback, Morgan was in everything and steered his side to the lead before the halftime break. However, five errors crept into his game, including one which led to Manly’s match-winning try.
5) North Queensland now have 11 players sitting in their casualty ward following injuries to vice-captain Jordan McLean and utility player John Asiata. The club’s depth will be seriously tested over the coming weeks as they attempt to fill key positions.
MANLY 22 (C Cust C Sironen J Taufua J Thompson tries R Garrick 3 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 20 (K Feldt F Molo T Opacic tries J Clifford 4 goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Adam Gee.
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