Talk of the Townsend Column: Cowboys' run and gun approach led by spine

In Chad Townsend’s exclusive weekly column, the Cowboys halfback revealed how the team's spine unit hatch and execute plans in the middle of the game

THIS week we returned home after what was a busy three weeks away.

We had chartered flights, flew on game day and with that means plenty of time in hotels and airports.

And it was now time to turn our focus on the Warriors in what was an extremely important game for us at home in front of our loyal fans.

We learnt a few lessons last weekend against the rampant Roosters. They started fast and played a very physical game.

We wanted to take our learnings into the Warriors game, and that we did.

I was really impressed with the focus and intent from our forward pack from the very first whistle. 

Their aggression and relentlessness allowed us to play on the front door and score some amazing tries.

After scoring early we spoke about continuing to play the long game and to not get carried away with the ball and our possession.

There were a number of standout performances from our boys.

 I thought Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater and Reece Robson were great and the platform that our forwards created allowed us spine players to really execute our game plan.

There were a number of highlights during the game and there are two that I want to make mention of today.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Chad Townsend of the Cowboys celebrates after scoring a try during the round 23 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the New Zealand Warriors at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on August 19, 2022, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The first one is Peta Hiku’s try right before half time.

Pet and I were having a conversation after the previous try with two minutes left on the clock about what we should do in the following set.

Pet asked me if I thought we should throw the ball around during the last few minutes of the half.

I agreed and thought it was a great time for us to really make our mark before the half was out.

We moved the ball over to our right to open up a shift to the left and it was Peta’s instincts to understand the ball was not being shifted down his edge.

Instead of just staying there he left and got himself in the play.

The right centre then popped up on the left side of the field in support to score an important try right on half time.

The next try I want to delve into was Tom’s try off my kick during the second half.

 Earlier in that set Scott had come to me and said when we get in position to run our usual shape, if Reece Walsh is not in position, kick it straight for him.

“I’ll let you know,” he said to me. Scott told Tom the plan and once we got in position all I heard from Drinky was “it’s on!”

All I had to do was put the kick on the money and those two chased hard and with  a lucky bounce Tommy got rewarded with a great try.

These are the in-depth conversations during the game that our spine has done so well throughout the year: playing what’s in front of us and coming up with plans based on what the defence is giving us.

Townsend: Cowboys analysis cracked the Broncos code

THIS wasn’t just another XXXX derby.

Having already secured two wins against the Titans and a convincing win against the Broncos at Suncorp earlier in the year it was a chance for us to go a perfect 4/4 against our Queensland rivals.

This game was also sold out weeks in advance, making the build up just that little bit more interesting.

Form goes out the window for these derbies, but in this case both teams have been playing some great football this season.

From my point of view I think the Broncos have really improved since last time we played them.

For us, that meant we needed to go a step better and improve our performance as well.

NRL 2022 draw analysis: Broncos, Cowboys locked in for finals, Titans $5 wooden spoon favourites

Chad Townsend fends off Ezra Mam. Picture: Getty Images)

CRACKING THE BRONCO CODE

Some of the key stats heading into the game were that the Broncos were 15th in two-pass shifts and 15th in short-side raids in the NRL.

Being second last in both of these stats meant the Broncos were going to come at us straight down the middle off the back off their big mobile forward pack.

Our pack was on notice with these stats and ready to meet them head on in the middle.

20 IN A ROW

After starting the game with a weight of possession we completed the first 3/7 sets.

Not ideal to start the game, but we had a number of chances and didn’t execute what we needed to do.

Then we conceded a try against the run of play. However it wasn’t much after that we got one against the run of play back with Murray Taulagi taking a great intercept.

One of Murray’s huge improvements as the year has gone on has been his defensive reads and this was one a pearler.

After that first initial 3/7 completion rate to start the game we then went on to complete the next 20 sets in a row, forcing Brisbane to bring the ball off their own line and playing field possession, which has been something we have been prepared to do all season.

Corey Jensen of the Broncos stopped by the Cowboys defence. Picture: Getty Images

EXECUTED TO PERFECTION

I want to quickly discuss Griffin Neame’s try under the posts in the second half.

Reece Robson and Griff practice this play after training every single day.

With a play the ball just right if the post Reece saw Griff nice and flat and running hard, off the back of a good play-the-ball.

Reece got out and hit Griff with a beautiful short ball. Griff, too big and too strong done, did the rest.

Reece has been playing some great football this season and is worthy of his call-up into the New South Wales 22-man squad for Game III.

SEE THE TRY BELOW

RECORD BREAKING TERRITORY

I’ll finish with a few firsts for the club.

Saturday night was the first time in Cowboys history that we have scored 40 points against the Broncos.

We have broken the previous club record of 36 (2006) twice this season, having scored 38 points in our earlier meeting.

It was the also first time the Cowboys have been a perfect 4/4 against Queensland rivals.

The Broncos have done it twice, in 2010 and 2013, while the Titans have never achieved this feat.

And on the back of that, Tom Gilbert and Jordan McClean go into camp to play their first games in the Origin decider.

Originally published as Talk of the Townsend Column: Cowboys' run and gun approach led by spine