Forget “going troppo” – Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston reckons a trip north will help his side think clearly in case of yet another refereeing blunder.
North Queensland coach Paul Green has promised a torturous three-day pre-season camp in the tropical heat of Cairns, 350km north of their hometown Townsville, from Thursday.
But instead of losing their cool, Thurston reckons the trip north will help his NRL side deal with any on-field controversy thrown their way in 2015.
“It (the Cairns trip) is something as a club and a playing group to put ourselves in uncomfortable positions and situations and see how we react to that,” Thurston said.
“There were incidents throughout the year where we probably didn’t react too great, refereeing decisions and things like that.
“If this makes us mentally tougher, the boys should get a lot out of it and that will help us try and achieve what we want next year.”
Easier said than done – controversy has dogged the Cowboys’ last three NRL finals campaigns.
Conspiracy theories have swirled around Townsville since their luckless run started in 2012.
First there was the “hand of Foran” finals loss to Manly after the Sea Eagles scored off a Kieran Foran knock-on.
Then last year Cronulla knocked North Queensland out of the finals race with a seven tackle try.
And in September the Cowboys were denied a last gasp finals win over the Roosters following a dubious video referee knock-on call.
But Thurston reckons he is feeling better already thanks to a rare pre-season.
The Cowboys co-captain missed Australia’s Four Nations campaign due to a shoulder complaint.
“I was a little bit disappointed with the way we finished this year but …I haven’t had a pre-season in about seven years – it’s going to be fun,” Thurston said.
“The body feels good.
“The All Stars game (in February 14) is the one I want to compete in.
“And I am willing to put my hand up for the (Auckland) Nines (from January 31-February 1) but the coaching staff have to make a decision.”
Thurston believed Green had also helped them get their heads right after yet another finals flop.
“Since he arrived he has brought in a different culture which the boys are really liking,” Thurston said ahead of Green’s second year at the Cowboys helm.
“He’s making everyone accountable for their actions on the field and off it.”
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
There are few greater sledges you can give an NRL team than calling them pretenders but the Cowboys will not be contenders until they…
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
Parramatta eased the pressure on coach Brad Arthur with an upset 27-20 win over the Cowboys at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night despite an…
Derbies are often rated on intensity rather than quality, and that was very much to the fore at Suncorp for the third Battle of…
1. Sea Eagles see no evil The Manly Sea Eagles are a loveable bunch, which is why they famously don’t have to carry banners…
Cowboys coach Todd Payten recently said he thinks Scott Drinkwater is knocking on the door for State of Origin but his star fullback is…
