North Queensland Cowboys to finish season against last two NRL sides to dump them out of finals

A NRL draw maker with a wicked sense of humour has ensured the Cowboys need to vanquish some finals demons to secure a top six finish.

Cowboy's Johnathan Thurston and team mates after a Panthers try during the NRL game between the Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Sportingbet Stadium,Penrith.Picture Gregg Porteous

NORTH Queensland must vanquish the finals demons of their past if they’re to secure the home final that could lead the Cowboys to ultimate premiership success.

In a weird twist of fate courtesy of a NRL draw maker with a wicked sense of humour, the Cowboys last two home games of the season come against the two clubs that have ended their previous finals campaigns in dramatic and controversial circumstances.

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On Monday night they host the “seventh tackle” Cronulla Sharks before a final round clash with the “Hand of Foran” Manly Sea Eagles that will decide whether North Queensland secure a coveted home final.

Kieran Foran famously knocked this ball on before a Manly try that knocked the Cowboys out in 2012.

The scheduling twist might provide some motivation for Cowboys fans with long memories, but the club itself is only concerned with keeping their red hot form running so they can secure a home final.

“I suppose there is something in that, it may be for the fans,” general manager of football Peter Parr said.

“Eventually you have to move on from what’s happened previously and get on with it.

“We’re not fazed about who we’re playing.

“We haven’t given that any thought and have had a good couple of months based on looking after ourselves and not worrying about anything else and that’s the policy we will continue on with.

“There is still a lot of footy to be played even over the next two weeks, not only the games we’re involved in but other games.

“Nobody here is getting ahead of themselves, it’s not like we’ve ticked off another finals appearance.

Johnathan Thurston is desperate to be part of a Cowboys premiership team. Pic: Mark Evans

“We know we’ve got some footy to play and have to maintain the consistency we’ve shown the last couple of months and probably improve some to do anything with our season.

“Given the way the season has been you would expect there’d be a few twists and turns still to take place.”

Cowboys players were given three days off after their upset of South Sydney, due to return to training on Wednesday to prepare for the clash with the wooden-spoon bound Sharks.

If they beat Cronulla finals are all but guaranteed. Then if they beat Manly it could be enough to secure a home final.

Such a result would be a dream scenario for the Cowboys. A home final in week one would be their third week in a row in Townsville and leave them just two games away to secure a spot in the grand final.

The Cowboys have had their fair share of bad luck over the past couple of seasons. Pic: Gregg Porteous

Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain said the club specifically sought a final round game at home to reduce their travel fatigue for the finals, but two was simply a bonus.

“We didn’t necessarily ask for our last two games at home, but we did ask for the last one,” Jourdain said.

“It’s just the way it’s panned out we’ve got two, we’re happy with that.”

Meanwhile injured Maroons centre Brent Tate will return to the club this week in a new role, working in the club’s community and corporate programs while he recovers from knee surgery.

Tate, who has only just resumed walking freely since a fourth knee reconstruction after Origin II, will soon make a final decision on whether he will continue his rugby league career next season.