North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks: Five things we learned from JT’s 300th game

THE Cowboys weren’t at their best, but it didn’t matter as they ground out a win in Johnathan Thurston’s 300th NRL game. Here’s five things we learned from the 20-14 win.

Five things we learned from Cowboys v Sharks

THE Cowboys weren’t at their best, but it didn’t matter as they ground out a win in Johnathan Thurston’s 300th NRL game. Here’s five things we learned from the 20-14 win.

1) THURSTON STARS WHEN IT MATTERS

IT does not matter how long Johnathan Thurston was out for, he is still a true match-winner. In his first NRL game in 261 days, the star playmaker helped deliver the Cowboys a victory, setting up Gavin Cooper for a try in the final minutes.

Before the coup de grace it did not look like he was going to be the standout or the saviour, struggling at times with his match fitness, but you can never doubt a champion.

Johnathan Thurston, set up the match-winner in his 300th game

2) LOLO MOVING FORWARD

JASON Taumalolo has shown he will not be taking a backwards step in 2018.

After notching up 5050m last year to be the best forward in the competition – with an average of 194m per game - the Cowboys star wasted no time in hitting those same heights.

He amassed 110m by halftime, 27m more than the next best player in Andrew Fifita, and finished with 181m.

3) DEEP ROSTER

IT shows how much depth the Cowboys have that Te Maire Martin is likely to go back to the Townsville Blackhawks once Lachlan Coote (hamstring) and Michael Morgan (abdominal) return.

Aside from throwing a late intercept pass, the young half looked slick, with a particularly dangerous running game, and worked well with Johnathan Thurston.

He could be the best player in the Intrust Super Cup this season.

Five things we learned from Cowboys v Sharks

4) SUPER SUBS

THERE has been a lot of excitement around the Cowboys’ starting forward pack, but their bench is looking lethal.

Coen Hess scored just minutes after coming onto the park while Scott Bolton also has maintained his form from last season.

They could help decide a lot of games with their impact this season.

5) SLOW START

CRONULLA’S star signing Matt Moylan could take a while to find his feet. The five-eighth was very quiet in this loss, with halfback Chad Townsend running most of the show for the Sharks.

It was only Round 1 but Sharks fans no doubt will want to see more from Moylan soon.