North Queensland Cowboys can reset at pre-season training after disappointing 2018 campaign
IN pre-season last year, North Queensland went in as premiership favourites before going on to finish 13th. This year, the Cowboys are primed to change their fortunes, writes Rikki-Lee Arnold
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MONDAY will mark a fresh start for the Cowboys.
In one of the biggest NRL shocks of 2018, the pre-season premiership favourites in North Queensland suffered a massive slide, finishing in 13th place on the ladder.
But as they return to training next week, the Paul Green-coached side will be determined to turn their form around for 2019.
They have been busy on the recruiting front, bringing in the likes of Ben Barba and Nene Macdonald, and will have some new combinations following the retirement of Johnathan Thurston and the axing of a number of long-time players, including Lachlan Coote and Kane Linnett.
The Cowboys are primed to change things around in 2019.
KEY PLAYER – MICHAEL MORGAN
WHEN Johnathan Thurston was ruled out of the 2017 season with a shoulder injury, Morgan became the hero the Cowboys needed.
He was not able to back that form up this year after suffering from a torn bicep and an ongoing groin injury, but he will be back in 2019 with a vengeance.
Morgan will want to prove that not only can he get back to his best, but he can steer the Cowboys to finals glory once again.
UNDER PRESSURE – BEN BARBA
THE former Cronulla fullback has said this is his last chance to save his NRL career.
After he was sacked from the Sharks in 2016 for two positive tests to cocaine, the former Dally M winner went to the Super League to rebuild his career.
Now he’s returned home and the entire rugby league world will be watching to see how he responds in his NRL comeback.
The Cowboys have also given him just a one-year deal so the pressure will be on Barba not just to prove his class on the field, but off the field as well.
ONE TO WATCH – JAKE CLIFFORD
CLIFFORD is the current frontrunner to join Michael Morgan in the halves next year following the retirement of Johnathan Thurston.
The 20-year-old whiz kid played six NRL games last season and it was clear he grew in confidence with each match.
Having also learnt from the very best in Thurston, Clifford is expected to be given the chance to help Morgan run the show in 2019.
MAIN TALKING POINT – THE LOSS OF JT
THE Cowboys have played under the shadow of Johnathan Thurston for a long time and that won’t change in 2019.
It will be their first season without the superstar playmaker and there is no doubt all eyes will be on the Townsville-based club to see how they fare without him.
Given last season’s disappointment, surely the only way is up for the Cowboys while Morgan, Clifford and the club’s other playmakers will want to make a statement of their own.
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GAINS AND LOSSES
Gains: Ben Barba (St Helens), Nene Macdonald (Dragons), Tom Opacic (Broncos), Kurt Baptiste (Roosters), Dan Russell (Souths Logan Magpies)
Losses: Johnathan Thurston, Antonio Winterstein (retirement), Lachlan Coote (St Helens), Kane Linnett, Shaun Fensom, Sam Hoare, Josh Chudleigh, Kyle Laybutt, Shaun Hudson (released)
OFF CONTRACT IN 2019
Matt Scott, Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess, Ben Barba, Scott Bolton, Ethan Lowe, Justin O’Neill, Te Maire Martin, Ben Hampton, Enari Tuala, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Javid Bowen, Corey Jensen, Kurt Baptiste, Carlin Anderson
Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys can reset at pre-season training after disappointing 2018 campaign
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