North Queensland strong spine and attacking threat mark them as the NRL biggest attacking threat

NORTH Queensland enter the finals with arguably the strongest spine in the NRL and greatest attacking threat in the competition this year.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates after kicking the winning field goal with Rory Kostjasyn and Kane Linnett of the Cowboys during the round 25 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium on September 1, 2014 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

NORTH Queensland will enter the finals with the strongest spine in the NRL with the Johnathan Thurston inspired Cowboys easily the greatest attacking threat in the competition this year.

Forget about Melbourne’s vaunted big three of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith or even Manly’s deadly combo of Brett Stewart, Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry Evans, the Cowboys now boast an attacking partnership that is the envy of the NRL.

With skipper Thurston running the show at halfback, first-year fullback Michael Morgan starring in the No. 1 and five-eighth Robert Lui hitting form the trio have spearheaded a Cowboys revolution that has seen North Queensland soar far ahead of any rival for producing “big plays”.

Fox Sports Stats show the Cowboys are the NRL’s most potent attacking side.

According to Fox Sports Stats, the Cowboys “spine” has produced the most tries, try assists, line breaks and line break assists with a combined tally of 182.

Parramatta are ranked second in the NRL for a tally of 170, ahead of the Warriors (164), Melbourne (162) and reigning premiers Sydney Roosters (152).

Manly, who the Cowboys play tonight at 1300SMILES Stadium, is ranked ninth with 148 while the lowest ranked of the finals contenders is Canterbury in 15th with just 98 big plays.

But it is in the area of assists that the Cowboys are miles ahead of their rivals, with 70 try assists well ahead of St George Illawarra (57) and Manly (56).

In line break assists North Queensland’s tally of 63 is again well clear of the Warriors, Dragons and Raiders with 53 each.

HAYNE, THURSTON IN DALLY M BATTLE

Whatever the statistics might say, Cowboys coach Paul Green knows the enormous threat his team faces against the Sea Eagles who are fighting to secure the minor premiership.

“They have some great individual players but very smart halves in particular,” Green said.

“Brett Stewart running off the back of those halves, they ask some pretty good questions and test you defensively so we need to be certainly moving well and tackling well.

“This time of the year it’s just about getting everything right and sharpening up all the little areas in our game.

“We just have to concentrate on ourselves. We were a little disappointed in how we played last week so we need to improve on that.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green says his team can still improve.

The firing attack has been aided by the decision by Green to shift Thurston back into the No.7 jersey, but it’s elsewhere that North Queensland have been more impressive.

The promotion of Morgan to fullback, just a few weeks before the NRL season kick off, has proven an absolute masterstroke as he stepped in the giant shoes left behind when veteran Matt Bowen left last year.

While North Queensland’s defence is on target to finish the regular season with a club best result, putting the Cowboys firmly on track for a maiden premiership even if they don’t secure a place in the coveted top four.

Green knows the importance of a top-four result in the premiership race and a win over the Sea Eagles could secure the Cowboys a week one showdown with the Sydney Roosters, but only if Penrith lose to the Warriors.

If the Panthers win then North Queensland would at least secure a home final next week and the chance to lay a platform to launch into a finals campaign.

“There’s not much we can do about (the ladder) as a team apart from play well on Saturday night, that is the best thing we can do to effect the ladder,” he said.

“We haven’t been speaking about it at all. I’m sure in the back of everyone’s mind they know what is at stake, but again it’s about the process and about us as a team and what we need to be good at.”