Michael Morgan wants to become a more dominant foil for Johnathan Thurston this season
MICHAEL Morgan has a pressing reason to become a more dominant foil for halves partner Johnathan Thurston this season.
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MICHAEL Morgan has pledged to take the heat off Johnathan Thurston in a bid to retain his Queensland jumper.
The Morgan-Thurston premiership-winning union will face one of its biggest tests of the season when they trade blows with classy Eels halves Corey Norman and Kieren Foran at Pirtek Stadium.
Morgan must outpoint Eels Nines star Norman, while Foran is expected to overcome a hamstring injury to make his Parramatta debut against Cowboys champion Thurston.
The duel with Norman is a chance for Morgan to use the experience of his maiden Origin campaign last year to become a more dominant foil for Thurston this season.
Morgan’s flick pass for Kyle Feldt’s last-minute try is now etched in grand final folklore, but he believes he can do more to help the code’s leading player.
“Hopefully I can take the heat off Jonno this year,” Morgan said.
“Jonno attracts a lot of attention from defence so it does open up opportunities for me on the other edge.
“The way we play, there’s opportunities for me. JT plays like a normal halfback and I’ve been able to play off the back of him. I have a bit of that freedom to run.
“To look back and think what we achieved last year, it’s awesome, but that’s behind us now. I’m looking forward.
“I’d like to take some pressure off JT this season and open the game up for him even more.”
Morgan is wary of the Norman-Foran threat. The Eels lacked creative punch in their season-opening 17-4 loss to Brisbane in Parramatta last week, but Foran’s return will put pressure on North Queensland’s defensive line.
“Foran is very consistent with his footy and he’s a hard worker,’’ Morgan said.
“We’re expecting him to play so he’ll bring a lot of organisation within their team. They will definitely be a better team having him there.’’
Morgan is working hard to keep improving and refuses to clock off early at training. He regularly stays behind doing extra work on general play kicking and finetuning his defensive reads.
It is an ethos shaped by his stint at Camp Maroon last season, where Morgan watched big-name Origin stars and their attention to detail.
Daly Cherry-Evans is gunning to reclaim his Maroons jersey this year but Morgan will not give it up without a fight.
“Playing Origin last year has made me want it even more this year,’’ he said.
“I’m not too sure if it’s made me a better player, but just being around the Origin team I learned things on how to prepare for big games.
“I’ve had that taste of Origin and I want it again but I need to be consistent. I don’t want to be a player who has a good game every few weeks. I want more consistency in my game.’’
Originally published as Michael Morgan wants to become a more dominant foil for Johnathan Thurston this season
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