Michael Morgan enjoyed the responsibility of filling Johnathan Thurston’s shoes — and he wants more

MICHAEL Morgan’s form and leadership was so good last year, North Queensland barely missed Johnathan Thurston. But now JT’s back — and Morgan isn’t about to step back into the shadows.

Morgan wants to maintain his performance levels. (AAP Image/Darren England)

COWBOYS dynamo Michael Morgan says he is ready for the pressure and expectation of taking over from Johnathan Thurston and becoming the king of the north.

Morgan will take on a more senior role in North Queensland’s playmaking set-up this season despite the return of four-time Dally M Medal champion Thurston from injury.

Morgan, who last week inked a five-year deal to stay at the Cowboys, guided North Queensland to a fairytale grand final appearance last season with a sensational run of form.

The 26-year-old stepped up when Thurston’s season was ended by a shoulder injury and produced such a hot streak that he finished runner-up in the Dally M Medal tally to Storm champion Cameron Smith.

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Morgan wants to maintain his performance levels. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Now an established Test and Origin star, Morgan is more comfortable with his position at the Cowboys, who have been dominated by Thurston since his arrival in 2005.

Thurston, 34, will retire at season’s end and Morgan said he was ready to take over the reins.

“With him finishing up this year, I’d like to think I can take on more of a role like I did last year,” Morgan said.

“I really enjoyed doing that. It’s something I would still like to do. I want to still do a bit of it this year, without us getting in the way of each other. It’s about getting the balance right.

“Long-term, I’d love to have a big role within the team. I think the expectation will be there — I’m not silly.

“I want to keep getting better and improve. If I keep challenging myself then hopefully that happens.”

Morgan won’t be in Thurston’s shadow this season. (Alix Sweeney)

Thurston, preparing for his 300th NRL match in Friday’s season-opener against the Sharks at 1300 SMILES Stadium, had his first hitout with the new and improved Morgan in last month’s trial against Melbourne.

It was the first time North Queensland’s chief shot-callers had played alongside each other since Round 14 last year.

After the trial, Thurston noted Morgan was a more mature and vocal player, not afraid to stamp his authority on the Cowboys.

Morgan, a 129-game Cowboys representative, said he did not want to take a backwards step in 2018 despite Thurston’s return.

“I’m probably a little bit more (talkative) than the last time we played together,” he said.

“I don’t want to go backwards. If I can be more vocal and help him then that’s what I’ll try to do.

“With him being out for as long as he had been, we hadn’t played together for a while but I think we can get better.

“Off the back of last year I’ve learnt a bit more. When I was doing his role I learnt how the guys around me could help.”

Morgan and North Queensland’s incredible run of form, after sneaking into the finals in eighth position, ended with a heartbreaking grand final loss to Melbourne.

They were not expected to make the finals, let alone the premiership decider, but Morgan said the pain of that loss was driving him.

“When I look at the season as a whole, it was a really good season for myself,” he said.

“I learnt a lot and was lucky enough to play in some big games throughout the year. It would have been better to have a good result in the grand final. That hurt and still does.”