Johnathan Thurston backs Michael Morgan to lead Cowboys to grand final after shocking Sharks
INJURED captain Johnathan Thurston has backed makeshift No 7 Michael Morgan to carry the undermanned Cowboys into this year’s decider.
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JOHNATHAN Thurston has declared North Queensland’s gutsy extra-time win over Cronulla was right up there with the 2015 grand final triumph.
And in an emotional aftermath at Allianz Stadium that saw the reigning premiers crash out of the finals race, the injured captain also backed makeshift No 7 Michael Morgan to carry the undermanned Cowboys into this year’s decider.
In what would have to go down as one of the gutsiest big match victories in years, the bashed-up Cowboys had to fight back from trailing 14-6 midway through the second half before sending the match into extra-time.
Morgan then nailed the field goal in the final play of the first half of overtime to claim a 15-14 lead, before the Cowboys held on to end Cronulla’s season in a huge upset.
They will now go in as underdogs again against Parramatta on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium in another sudden-death shootout to decide who wins the right to play the Sydney Roosters for a spot in the grand final.
Asked if Morgan could go on and guide the Cowboys into the decider, Thurston proudly beamed: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but he is going to.”
Thurston also didn’t miss the chance to stick up for his teammates in the wake of pre-match comments made by Paul Gallen.
Gallen said in the build-up: “They’ve sort of being crying poor all year the Cowboys, with all the injuries they’ve got”.
Thurston rode the 90-minute rollercoaster standing behind Paul Green in the coaching box at Allianz Stadium and could hardly contain his pride after the game.
“That is right up there with the grand final (in 2015), one of the best wins that we have ever had,” Thurston said
“Coming into this game there was a lot of chat about us crying poor and whingeing so to speak.
“But we are in our own little bubble.”
Asked about Morgan’s growth in the playmaking role in his absence, Thurston added: “He is starting to learn how to control a game now and what the team needs at certain times..
“Since myself and Thumper (Matt Scott) have been out of the team and Coops and Cootey at certain times, Morgo has really stood up and led the team.
“That is a taste of what the future holds for this club.”
Typically, Morgan downplayed his performance but admitted it was a wonderful feeling to be alive after almost everyone wrote the Cowboys off when Thurston and Scott went down injured this season.
“It is very pleasing. There is a bit of relief as well,” Morgan said.
“We have been called a one-man team and it has been good to be able to show this year that we are more than that.”
About his winning field goal, Morgan added: “I didn’t realise there was that little time left. It was just last play and Jason (Taumalolo) got a quick play the ball.
“We were just in a good position for it so I had the shot.”
Morgan admitted he never saw himself as a halfback when he came into first grade.
“I played there in the 20s but this is the first time in first grade I have played (halfback) consistently,” the 25-year-old said.
“It has been a challenge for me..
“And maybe it has been a blessing in disguise.
“I had to play a different role and adapt my game and be a more dominant on-the-ball type player.
“I am at that age now where I probably had to do it I suppose.
“I have enjoyed it.”
NORTH QUEENSLAND 15 (K Feldt J Taumalolo tries E Lowe 3 goals M Morgan field goal) bt CRONULLA 14 (J Bird C Townsend tries J Maloney 3 goals) in extra time at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 16,115
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