Can the North Queensland Cowboys win the 2014 premiership? Yes, they sure can.
The Cowboys showed last night, with workhorse prop Matt Scott and dynamic back rower Gavin Cooper back, that they can match the muscle of the NRL heavyweights. Just ask arguably the best pack in the comp, that of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Much has to be said of the Cowboys conditioning staff for getting these key forwards to produce such a performance after Scott has been sidelined for six weeks and Cooper over eight with serious injuries.
Throw in another bustling performance by both Sims brothers and a great metre-eating game by Jason Taumolo and the Cowboys have the strength and mobility to take on any pack.
Much can be said about the influence of the mercurial JT on any given Cowboys win, but without a pack going forward his influence is greatly diminished. Last night it took the Cowboys 30 minutes to get into the contest against the Titans, trailing 8-0.
In the next 20 minutes however the game was effectively over, with the Cowboys crossing three times. With a healthy for-and-against record, and three of their remaining five matches at home, the Cowboys can ensure themselves a top-eight finish.
They could even sneak into the top four.
The Cowboys were at odds of 17-1 some weeks ago when sitting in 13th on the ladder.
Incredibly, even after last nights 20-point win, the same bookie has them at 20-1.
If you look at the likely make up of the top eight, the men from North Queensland will have no problems accounting for premiership pretenders such as the Panthers, The Storm, the Broncos and the Bulldogs. Bulldogs supporters before you go crazy, just remember no matter how good your pack is, you’re never going to win a premiership with Hodkinson and Reynolds as your halves.
It’s whether the Cowboys can beat the likes of Souths, Manly and the Roosters that will determine the outcome of their season.
They have already given Souths a hiding once this year, can match the attacking flair of the Roosters and have the pack to steamroll Manly.
Could this just be the year of the Cowboys?
BrumbyJack
Guest
And the Cowboys keep on riding! Just racked up the half century against the toothless Tigers.... Keep winding those odds in bookies.
Jay C
Guest
I think the Cowboys/Warriors are the smokies for this year. I will be taking a piece of 20-1 action for sure. If you want a laugh go and read Brett Kimmorley's article labelling Souths as smokies. Yeah real out of the box suggestion Brett, the team in second with the best for and against might have a shot, you think? I personally would LOVE to see the two grand finalists come from outside the top 4, and if it was going to happen any year, I think this is the one. Ideally out of Cowboys/Warriors/Storm.
NSWelshman
Guest
Yeah right they'll destroy lolol..............just like they have this year & every other year!
Muzz
Guest
They will need to change their name to - Sydney or Brisbane Cowboys before they win a comp.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Dubblebubble you might be right. Has Lui got what it takes? But one can only think that the hurt of last years controversial finals loss has spurned them on a bit now. Their performance on Sat night against the Titans was very Qld origin like - get the big guys going forward, get a smart kicking game in, a great kick chase, and then pressure the opposition to making wayward kicks out of their 40. Either way since their horrendous loss to the Knights coach Paul Green is now getting the best out of his players. With Morgan and Winterstein at the back they have potency out wide, and as I said in the feature article, their pack is strong and really starting to play aggressively. They are on a big upwards momentum swing right now.
Felix
Guest
Pfft, mate Morgan at full back is one of the best in the comp, once he goes back to 7 and they get Coote back, they'll destroy. They just need to live in Sydney that's all.
dubblebubble
Guest
I think they will fall short. They lack genuine leadership in the halves and this will hurt them when they face the big guns in the finals.
ron brennan
Guest
looking forward to Monday 18th when they take on panthers. perhaps james segearo will wish he stayed in Townsville, how,s the fishin goin james?? nice weather?? lol.
fiver
Guest
I tip them every year to give the premiership a shake, not doing that again.
NSWelshman
Guest
You are kidding............the Cowboys have the pack to steamroll Manly??? PMSL!!!!!! Manly will match it with your so called tough pack & then the best back line in league will run you around like headless chooks! If Manly's pack is so useless why are they 4 points clear on the table? As for a healthy for & against you don't compare to Manly! You also rubbish the Bulldogs halves..........apart from JT you have nothing on them or the other teams in the 8.......especially the Sea Eagles Halves!
Trenno
Guest
I love the mighty Cowboys and I think that we are in with a real shot this year. They finally seem to be getting some consistency in the adjudication of their games now (touch wood) and the results are showing. Manly and Storm are still the bench mark, round 26 will give the Cowboys a good indication of their hopes. They have to be able to beat Manly at 1300 smiles to have any chance of beating them in the finals down there, however the old chestnut 'one game at a time' should be all they are thinking of going into round 22. Go the Cowboys!
djcooper
Roar Guru
Not sure if the storm are pretenders like you claim but I do hope the cowboys can make a run.
Zedman
Guest
Is Ashton Sims the biggest lair in the game?,the short answer is YES!!!!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Easier said than done. The Cowboys have the big units to get a roll on, and it's from that base that JT can work his magic.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Just limit JT and they look rubbish.
The eye
Guest
and an independent refereeing and video/jury group shipped over from England.
eagleJack
Guest
No. Unless the finals get moved to Townsville.
Cowboys
Guest
Yewwwww! Git errr don!
Andy
Guest
"Could this just be the year of the Cowboys?" unlikely, they would require a fair bit of luck.