Josh McGuire is ready to ‘grow up’ in Cowboys veteran’s absence
Emotions ran high when Gavin Cooper farewelled the Cowboys faithful, but his absence could be what brings out the best in Josh McGuire.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Emotions ran high when Gavin Cooper farewelled the Cowboys faithful, but his absence could be what brings out the best in Josh McGuire.
McGuire was recognised as the club’s Players’ Player at the North Queensland end of season awards, but already his mind is fixed on turning around their fortunes in 2021.
With Cooper and John Asiata leaving, a further void has been created in the team’s leadership stocks.
In their absence, McGuire will become the Cowboys’ most capped NRL player, and second oldest only to Jake Granville.
As a host of young guns come through the North Queensland ranks, they will need the remaining senior players to set the tone and inspire the early stages of their careers.
It is a role that was always going to define Cooper’s final season in Townsville, and now the mantle has been passed to his former State of Origin teammate as he looks to cast aside the ill discipline that has cost him suspension-enforced stints on the sidelines.
“He was a big part of my reason why I came to this club, he’s a fantastic club man and a fantastic footballer,” McGuire said.
“He probably didn’t get the accolades he deserved but within the playing group he’s held in the highest regard and I’m very proud to be able to call him a teammate and friend off the field.
“I could never put myself in Coops’ shoes for what he’s done for this club and the young guys, but obviously a little bit of responsibility comes with the age and now’s the time to grow up and be a leader around the group.
“We’re running out of old guys, and I’ll be one of the last 30 year olds so I’ll probably have to grow up a little bit I guess.”
In a season guilty of inconsistency on the field, the output of McGuire and his fellow middle forwards bucked the trend.
The 30-year-old ran for 1187 post-contact metres in 17 games (70m per game) while averaging nearly 40 tackles per hit out.
Whatever the nature of the contest, whatever results they had been dealt, McGuire was consistently wearing his heart on his sleeve and doing whatever he could to pull his teammates along with him.
So to be recognised by them as the club’s best player in 2020, while maintaining a jovial nature off the field, meant everything to the veteran forward.
“I always hold it in the highest regard, your peers are who are out there in the heat of the battle with you,” McGuire said.
“They’re the guys you have to impress and they’re the guys you have to look in the eyes after a game, so to get this award off those guys is something very special.
“I thought it was just better to have fun and enjoy whatever the world chucks at you at the moment.
“I always just tried to do my job, I love the game, I love being a part of the team so I tried to make it as enjoyable as it could be.
“I think people take it the way they want to take it, I’m obviously always serious about winning but we’re very lucky and fortunate to do what we do for a living so I never take it for granted and look on the bright side of things.”
Originally published as Josh McGuire is ready to ‘grow up’ in Cowboys veteran’s absence
Abortion debate is LNP’s Achilles’ heel: Katters
The Katters say they have made their stance clear on abortion laws, calling on David Crisafulli to do the same after the Opposition leader refused to answer questions.
Townsville juvenile crime wave strikes quiet rural town
Police in the comparatively crime-free Hinchinbrook Shire have issued a stark warning to locals after the Townsville juvenile crime wave struck with a shudder.