Two from two for the Cowboys
Roar Rookie By sajjittarius, 26 Jul 2012 sajjittarius is a Roar Rookie
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It has been a pretty hectic couple of weeks in rugby league. In fact, it’s been pretty hectic since the State of Origin decider.
After the Origin decider, I was looking forward to the next few weeks for the North Queensland Cowboys. The Cowboys had the bye before a couple of matches that would give us an indication of whether they were fair dinkum premiership contenders in 2012.
Or, as they were last year, merely fated to provide a top team with a practise run in the first week of the finals.
The first of these games was probably the hardest: Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. Despite being without Billy Slater, the Storm were favourites for this match, not least because the Cowboys had a dreadful 18-6 record against them.
I won’t bore you with the details, but it was a very pleasant surprise to find out that the Cowboys finished 20-16 winners.
Onwards then to Monday Night Football against the Wests Tigers. Since qualifying for the finals for the first time ever with a win against the Tigers in 2004, the Cowboys have had a poor record, with just two wins in their last 10 matches against the 2005 premiers.
The first half was as entertaining as you’d expect from two highly skilled attacking teams. The Tigers at one point led 16-10, only for Brent Tate to cross just before half-time and level the scores. Soon after the break Anthony Mitchell scored to give the Cowboys the lead.
It was a lead they held onto before adding a Matt Bowen field goal, Gavin Cooper try and Johnathan Thurston conversion for the eventual 29-16 scoreline.
So two wins in two matches against two clubs that traditionally held the wood over us. While it’s good news for Cowboys fans, it is not to say we’re guaranteed to keep our top-four spot through to the finals.
When your run home is Bulldogs (away), Manly (home), Warriors (h), Dragons (a), Knights (h) and Sharks (a), you take nothing for granted.
However, two from two since the bye has me feeling a little optimistic for the boys from the north.
The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 26th 2012 @ 2:43am
llieno said | July 26th 2012 @ 2:43am | Report comment
They have perhaps the toughest run home in the competition, it will be interesting to see how they handle it. Bulldogs are clearly the benchmark at the moment and will provide a good litmus test for the Cows. The front row for the Dogs have been awesome this year, clearly illustrated by a player of James Graham’s calibre coming off the bench all year in their rotation.
It should make for a top forward battle as I feel Matt Scott’s form this year has been below par but has been building since Origin.
I have to applaud how Matty Bowen has revived his career after pretty serious knee injuries. I was in favour of them cutting him, freeing up a fair portion of their salary cap and making a play for someone like Barba/Slater as both would fit their style of play. They stuck by him and now they’re reaping the benefits.
Tate and Linnett have been pretty good this year as well. Can’t wait for the Tate v Morris battle.
Bring on the Dogs!
July 26th 2012 @ 3:03am
NF said | July 26th 2012 @ 3:03am | Report comment
Cowboys drew the short straw out of the current top 8 when compare to say Souths who got a soft run home it’s pretty much the proving ground on the road to the finals. A true test on whether the Cowboys will be premiership material or week 1 cannon fodder we will find out soon enough. They conquer one of the toughest tests against the Storm in Melbourne a while back but this week is without doubt the toughest of the season, Bulldogs in Sydney if they can somehow, someway pull off a win there it do wonders. Also, it will unexpectedly pull them in position on potentially being minor premiers.
Losing to the Titans (2x) has been a detriment & without a doubt the worst Cowboys performances this year and will effect there position on the ladder overall this season.
July 26th 2012 @ 7:21am
Ask said | July 26th 2012 @ 7:21am | Report comment
As a long suffering Cowboys fan I initially viewed the tough run home they have (compared some others in the top 4 or 8 ) as going to be our downfall but on second thought I think if they are going to be a hope in September/October this is just what they needed to keep them switched on for the long haul. They don’t have to win them all nor do I think they will, but as long as they don’t have the all too familar fade out in games we are as good a chance as any of other more fancied teams. Also I think Tate has proven to be a very good buy for them, I like many questioned the rationale for paying another has-been overs to play a last few injury filled seasons but he has been outstanding for us and for Qld this year.
July 26th 2012 @ 8:06am
DingoBob said | July 26th 2012 @ 8:06am | Report comment
Have to agree I think Tate and Linnett have been the two stand outs this season and if they go through to the finals a big part of it will be thanks to them.
July 26th 2012 @ 11:51am
Brainwashed said | July 26th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Never ever right off the Great Brent Tate.How good are M.Morgan and R.Thompson going.Good foils for the Thurston and Bowen show.You can definetly tell the effect Peter Ryan is having up there.Their defence is awesome compared to years gone by.Also which WALLY picked Storm v Dragons and Titans v Roosters ahead of 2 entertaining teams that rate well like Bulldogs and Cowboys.Seriously I hope the butchers at Channel 9 and Steve Crawley loose the T.V rights so we don’t have to put up with their lack of competence anymore and bring Vossy back to the Roast too.
July 26th 2012 @ 4:24pm
NF said | July 26th 2012 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
Because when I think of blockbusters I think of…..Roosters vs Titans wut. 9 trolling NRL surely. Cowboys vs Bulldogs should be a Sunday Afternoon game in Sydney considering how fantastic the Doggies crowd being so far and it’s 1st vs 4th too so surely they would draw a good crowd. But it got given the graveyard 5.30pm slot & Titans/Roosters get primetime. What a joke.
July 26th 2012 @ 5:12pm
Matt F said | July 26th 2012 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
It’s turned out to be a shocking decision though they couldn’t have received the Friday slot because the Cowboys played last Monday. 4 days isn’t a long enough break between matches.
July 26th 2012 @ 5:23pm
tonysalerno said | July 26th 2012 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
The Cowboys are in a good position leading into the finals. Although the leader is congested- this week will give us a true indication if they are really title contenders when they take on the NRL’s best, the Bulldogs. Nth QLD is in 4th spot and with the table so congested a loss can see them tumble to the bottom of the top 8 while a win can consolidate their position in the top four.