Justin O’Neill will use showdown with Michael Jennings to push for contract extension

TWO-time premiership winner Justin O’Neill will use his showdown with Origin star Michael Jennings to push his case for a contract extension at the Cowboys.

TWO-time NRL premiership winner Justin O’Neill will use his showdown with State of Origin star Michael Jennings to push his case for a contract extension at North Queensland.

O’Neill was crowned the Cowboys’ most improved player last year after a horror start to his tenure in Townsville culminated with a place in the club’s historic premiership-winning team.

Signed by coach Paul Green for his speed following Brent Tate’s retirement, O’Neill found himself in the Intrust Super Cup early last season due to poor form.

He fought his way back into the NRL and scored four tries during North Queensland’s finals campaign, including the Cowboys’ first in the grand final.

O’Neill has enjoyed plenty of success in his 95-game NRL career, having played on the wing in Melbourne’s 2012 grand final win over Canterbury.

The 24-year-old is one of 16 players off-contract at the Cowboys this year and knows he must shine against the likes of Parramatta’s Jennings and rampaging winger Semi Radradra at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday to prove his worth to Green.

“Cowboys are such a great team,” O’Neill said.

“I’ve bonded well with the boys here. It would be sad if I had to leave.

“I haven’t come to a decision yet but I wouldn’t mind staying.

“They (Jennings and Radradra) haven’t played too much footy together but individually they have some great strengths and are strong runners.

Justin O'Neill during a Cowboys training session. Picture: Wesley Monts

“They’re great attackers and finishers. Jennings has speed.

“If we don’t do a good job on them then a lot of points will come there.”

O’Neill played the first three games of North Queensland’s 2015 campaign before being sent back to reserve grade for two weeks.

He ended up playing the next 23 consecutive matches and started this season with a try against Cronulla last weekend.

“To go through to the grand final in my first year was unreal. I couldn’t have dreamt it being any better,” O’Neill said.

“When I came to the Cowboys the goal was to get back to the form I’d found early in my career.

“I’d had a few injuries so to play most of the year and have no serious injuries was a big positive on top of winning the grand final.

“I definitely found a bit of form late last year and I want to build on that.

“We’ve started the season quite well. We want to build on that.”

Green said O’Neill’s progression was a result of him finding confidence after his horror club debut.

“I felt we needed speed when we lost Tatey and he certainly had that,” Green said.

“He didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and his confidence suffered after that. He played a game or two in the Intrust Super Cup.

“He was always going to come back into the team. He just had to find a bit of confidence.

“He got better and better as the year went on. He’s started on a good note this year.”

Originally published as Justin O’Neill will use showdown with Michael Jennings to push for contract extension