Five things we learned from the Cowboys shock loss to Parramatta in Darwin

JOHNATHAN Thurston’s farewell season goes from bad to worse and Matt Scott fails to put his hand up for an Origin recall- here’s what we learned from North Queensland’s loss to Parramatta.

Johnathan Thurston had another tough night in his farewell season.

JOHNATHAN Thurston’s farewell season goes from bad to worse and Matt Scott fails to put his hand up for an Origin recall.

Here’s what we learned from North Queensland’s 20-14 loss to Parramatta.

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Johnathan Thurston had another tough night in his farewell season.

1) MATT Scott failed to produce an irresistible case for an Origin recall in Darwin. Scott is back in the Origin selection mix following Queensland’s Origin I loss but his form is not demanding selection.

The 22-Origin veteran had some nice touches, solid defensive efforts and scored a late try but it wasn’t the type of performance that screamed “Pick Me!”

LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams tackle all the news from Origin I, including player rating debacles, changes that need to be made and all the details from the match itself.

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2) JOHNATHAN Thurston’s final NRL season has turned into such a disaster that his former Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga has called for him to be moved to five-eighth. Thurston has struggled all season and Kangaroos coach Meninga reckons it is time for Michael Morgan to become the Cowboys No. 7.

3) JARRYD Hayne put rape allegations hanging over him aside to produce his best performance for Parramatta.

Hayne bagged a brace of tries in his return from a six-week hip injury in what was a determined showing from the unpredictable Eels star.

4) IT is time for a cleanout at North Queensland. Cowboys coach Paul Green has kept the same squad together since North Queensland’s 2015 NRL premiership but they are clearly in need of an injection of new talent and Green’s loyalty is not being repaid.

5) COWBOYS Origin forwards Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper are in danger of losing their Queensland jerseys. Hess and Cooper had quiet games in Origin I and were terrible for the Cowboys last night. Broncos youngsters Jaydn Su’A and Joe Ofahengaue are in better form and should replace them for Origin II.

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Originally published as Five things we learned from the Cowboys shock loss to Parramatta in Darwin