Michael Morgan’s milestone has been put to the side in North Queensland’s hunt for victory

Milestone man Michael Morgan forgot he was playing his 150th NRL game this weekend, but knows there won’t be anything to celebrate if the Cowboys crash to another demoralising loss.

North Queensland Cowboys training from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Head coach Paul Green. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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Milestone man Michael Morgan forgot he was playing his 150th NRL game this weekend, but knows there won’t be anything to celebrate if the Cowboys crash to another demoralising loss.

Saturday’s clash with Parramatta marks Cowboys skipper Morgan’s 150th NRL game, while winger Kyle Feldt celebrates his 100th in his second game back from a serious groin injury.

However, those celebrations will be short-lived if North Queensland cannot put a win on the board.

The Cowboys are 13th on the premiership ladder after their sixth loss of the season in Magic Round last week.

If the Cowboys fail to fire against a hurting Parramatta side this week, it will be the second year in a row they have started the season with a 3-7 win-loss record.

Morgan said the players’ focus was on turning that record around.

“At the moment (a win) is (the most important thing),” he said. “For where we are and our season is at the moment.

“Any milestone game, we put that to the side because we still really need a win. We know that.”

Morgan only realised on Tuesday that the match was nearly upon him.

“I knew it was coming up because I knew at the start of the year I was at 140 or round about but I just forgot how many games we played this year,” he said.

“To see the guys who have done it, and I’ve got to play alongside a few of them, it is special. Hopefully we can top it off with a win.”

North Queensland this week changed up their training schedule to “better prepare” for their Saturday afternoon match against Parramatta.

Coach Paul Green during a North Queensland Cowboys training session earlier in the year at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Coach Paul Green shifted Wednesday’s usual morning training session to the afternoon to mirror the start of the game.

Cowboys winger Ben Hampton said he hoped the changes to training would help.

“I think (coach) Greeny and the leadership group had a bit of talk about changing things up for the preparation this week,” Hampton said.

“I think that’s the idea ... maybe to get your body ready or your mind ready in a way.

“Other clubs do it a little bit like that. We’re trying it this week and hopefully it’ll help us.”

Originally published as Michael Morgan’s milestone has been put to the side in North Queensland’s hunt for victory