Mid-season report card: The Cowboys need to start winning on the road to play finals

KNOCKED out of the finals controversially in recent season, Cowboys fans are understandably starting to feel a bit frayed around the edges.

The North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Cowboys Jonathan Thurston is tackled by Storm's Ben Roberts. Picture: Zak Simmonds

KNOCKED out of the finals controversially in recent season, Cowboys fans are understandably starting to feel a bit frayed around the edges. When will they finally push on?

New coach Paul Green delivered an early season surprise with a trophy in the Auckland Nines and there is no doubt the Cows look a little more serious this season — but if they can’t sort out their atrocious away form, they will never be real contenders.

North Queensland has always been one of the toughest road trips for most team and this continues with only a loss to the Warriors their only blemish.

The Cowboys need to notch some away wins.

They are yet to get on the board away from home and Green has been unable to rectify a perennial problem for the Cowboys.

How can a team demolish the reigning premiers 42-10 one week and then collapse 42-12 to the struggling Raiders the next? Even without their big names on Origin duty, this was a hard one to swallow for Cowboys fans.

Matt Scott has been a tower of strength for the Cowboys this season.

On their day, the Cowboys have produced some of the best football of the season.

Up front Matt Scott has been enormous with ample help from his fellow Australian prop James Tamou.

Jason Taumalolo is starting to realise his potential in the backrow while at fullback Michael Morgan has been a revelation, only earning his jersey after Lachlan Coote did his ACL in the Auckland Nines.

Johnathan Thurston as always has been the figure around which the team is built. Again he has been brilliant on occasions and has the Dally M points to show for it. Green’s other major problem is ensuring he gets the support from halfback and hooker that he needs. But again, this is not a new problem for the Cowboys.

James Tamou has been a willing partner of Matt Scott in the front row.

Current Ladder position: 11th (Wins 6, Losses 7)

Results:

Round 1: Cowboys 28 def. Raiders 22

Round 2: Broncos 12 def. Cowboys 12

Round 3: Warriors 20 def. Cowboys 16

Round 4: Titans 13 def. Cowboys 12

Round 5: Cowboys 28 def. Knights 2

Round 6: Tigers 16 def. Cowboys 4

Round 7: Sea Eagles 26 def. Cowboys 21

Round 8: Cowboys 42 def. Eels 14

Round 9: Cowboys 27 def. Broncos 14

Round 10: Cowboys 42 def. Roosters 10

Round 11: Raiders 42 def. Cowboys 12

Round 12: Cowboys 22 def. Storm 0

Round 13: Eels 18 def. Cowboys 16

Best Win: Round 10s demolition of the Roosters was the Cowboys at their best and showed just what they are capable of — if only they could do if every week.

Worst Loss: Follow up that result with a collapse against a Canberra side on a three-match losing streak and all you can do is shake your head. No JT, no Cowboys.

Best Player: Johnathon Thurston has been unplayable at times this season, the sort of form that could almost single-handedly drag a team into the finals.

Michael Morgan has been a revelation at fullback.

Most improved: Stuck behind Thurston, Robert Lui, and Ray Thompson in the halves, Michael Morgan looked a bench utility at best — but averaging more than 100m per game, the 22-year-old will make it very hard for Lachlan Coote to reclaim the fullback spot.

Needs to lift: It’s the same old story — finding someone capable of partnering with JT and halfback Robert Lui has failed to live up to the task so far.

Long-term injury list:

Patrick Kaufusi (pectoral, two months)

Gavin Cooper (Hip, two months)

Cameron King (knee, season)

Lachlan Coote (knee, indefinite)

Prediction: The Cowboys need to find a win or two on the road soon. Get through Origin players with their stars intact then it has them well position for another run into the finals. Should scrape into the eight.

Originally published as Mid-season report card: The Cowboys need to start winning on the road to play finals