Long-suffering North Queensland fans are daring to dream and South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds can see why, declaring them no longer a one-man band.
After a series of heart-breaking NRL finals exits over the last three years, season 2015 is shaping as the Cowboys’ best chance in their 21-year history to finally lift the Provan-Summons Trophy.
In years gone past shutting down the Cowboys was a matter of quelling the influence of playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
But Reynolds says that teams have had to come up with a different blueprint for the Townsville side this year with five-eighth Michael Morgan and fullback Lachlan Coote growing in influence.
“(Thurston) has been fantastic but I think the players around him have allowed him to be that way,” Reynolds said of his opposite number ahead of their showdown at 1300 Smiles Stadium on Thursday.
“Michael Morgan is playing out of his skin and Lachie Coote is doing the same. Their forward pack is on a roll at the moment as well.
“They’re full of talent and ready to play this week.”
In good news for the Bunnies ahead of their top four showdown with the Cowboys, centre Dylan Walker has been cleared of major injury despite being troubled by a hamstring problem in their 28-8 loss to Manly on Friday.
Outside back Kirisome Auva’a is also available for selection after serving an NRL suspension for a domestic violence conviction and put his best foot forward with a two-try effort for North Sydney in the NSW Cup on Saturday.
For both sides, the round 23 clash is a chance to regain vital momentum at the business end of the season following disappointing losses on the weekend.
Because the fifth-placed Cronulla and sixth-placed Melbourne clash next Monday, a loss to the Cowboys would see the Rabbitohs fall out of the top four.
Hooker Issac Luke said the side had not been at their best in key games this year and needed to reverse that in Thursday’s high-stakes clash.
“I think there have been key games that we haven’t been able to win … Friday night was a massive clash but we got our pants pulled down,” Luke said.
“But we get an opportunity to go out there on Thursday.”Cowboys no longer one-man show
By Steve Zemek
SYDNEY, Aug 10 AAP – Long-suffering North Queensland fans are daring to dream and South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds can see why, declaring them no longer a one-man band.
After a series of heart-breaking NRL finals exits over the last three years, season 2015 is shaping as the Cowboys’ best chance in their 21-year history to finally lift the Provan-Summons Trophy.
In years gone past shutting down the Cowboys was a matter of quelling the influence of playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
But Reynolds says that teams have had to come up with a different blueprint for the Townsville side this year with five-eighth Michael Morgan and fullback Lachlan Coote growing in influence.
“(Thurston) has been fantastic but I think the players around him have allowed him to be that way,” Reynolds said of his opposite number ahead of their showdown at 1300 Smiles Stadium on Thursday.
“Michael Morgan is playing out of his skin and Lachie Coote is doing the same. Their forward pack is on a roll at the moment as well.
“They’re full of talent and ready to play this week.”
In good news for the Bunnies ahead of their top four showdown with the Cowboys, centre Dylan Walker has been cleared of major injury despite being troubled by a hamstring problem in their 28-8 loss to Manly on Friday.
Outside back Kirisome Auva’a is also available for selection after serving an NRL suspension for a domestic violence conviction and put his best foot forward with a two-try effort for North Sydney in the NSW Cup on Saturday.
For both sides, the round 23 clash is a chance to regain vital momentum at the business end of the season following disappointing losses on the weekend.
Because the fifth-placed Cronulla and sixth-placed Melbourne clash next Monday, a loss to the Cowboys would see the Rabbitohs fall out of the top four.
Hooker Issac Luke said the side had not been at their best in key games this year and needed to reverse that in Thursday’s high-stakes clash.
“I think there have been key games that we haven’t been able to win … Friday night was a massive clash but we got our pants pulled down,” Luke said.
“But we get an opportunity to go out there on Thursday.”
john neeson
Guest
are you sure about that Steve
American Dave
Guest
What Brett said.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Ha Ha.
littleredrooster
Guest
And the Lord said to Souths.."Come Forth"...and their fans replied.."We are coming fourth"...
littleredrooster
Guest
And the Lord said to Souths.."Come Forth"...and their fans replied.."We are"..
Muzz
Guest
Thursday nights game should be a cracker!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah. Can't accept that Brett. The test of the squad are world class.
Brett
Guest
Take the main playmaker out of every NRL side and they drop in their performance dramatically. In the Cowboy's case, they go from being one of the best sides with JT, to mediocre without him.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
My only criticism of the Cowbies is their lack of imagination on the fifth tackle. They manage to get into the opposition ten metres and often seem to stall, and because of the shorter gap between the two teams the D can rush up and shut the door. They need the full ten metres to spin the ball around while running some angles. You can’t rely on the big fellas barging over from two metres out every time. But I’m sure Greeny knows all this.
Jara W
Guest
Exactly. He seems to be what they were missing. Hope he has the chance to show Reynolds that. The replacements for Morgan and Coote last year were Lui and Morgan. I think the one man show idea has been overplayed for longer than the last half of this season.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
My only criticism of the Cowbies is their lack of imagination on the fifth tackle. They manage to get into the opposition ten metres and often seem to stall, and because of the shorter gap between the two teams the D can rush up and shut the door. They need the full ten metres to spin the ball around while running some angles. You can't rely on the big fellas barging over from two metres out every time. But I'm sure Greeny knows all this.
Billy
Guest
Time for the Cows to regroup and start their home run! go Cowbies!
planko
Roar Guru
People are missing the point a player like JT or Johns gives everyone around more time on the ball. Players at the top level worry defences into making mistakes. Everyone's game plan is shutdown JT. I thought JT's second half against the sharks was a little off and that was just that was enough for the sharks to pressure others into mistakes. You take JT out of that team all of sudden the game plan changes to pressure morgan and coote. Their weakness apart from relying on JT is they do shut down about 20 minutes a game. Sometimes they get very quick points on them. The difference against Cronulla is they were able to hold off NQLD with turning point being the Beale try.
littleredrooster
Guest
Has Con Sortis retired? Where are you son?
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Their right side defence is their weakness. Was at the cows/raiders game the other week and that was where they let in the points.
littleredrooster
Guest
Souths are the grubbiest side in the comp. They will target JT on Thursday (late hits, take him out, their usual poor ten lift and carry back ten after held is called of the playmaker or first carrier). Unfortunately the NRL who, as we all must know by now, dont really give a rats whether the Cows are there or not come GF time...will turn a blind eye and apply the handicapping conditions to get the hordes of rabbit followers keen again. Charity begins at Crown.
Samtwocan
Guest
I think your right TB , in a finals situation they would be mentally destroyed if JT wasn't there . Look at QLD without Cronk ,and they supposedly have the best team in history .
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep, I had a laugh as I read the article. I think the Cowboys are the most complete team but if thurston gets injured - they are gone! I was at the Sharks-Cowboys game on Saturday night and he was the Cowboys best player. I know they beat a couple of lower ranked sides without him but come finals time - they won't be able to do the job if he isn't on the field.
Joe
Roar Rookie
To go all the way the Cowboys need to work on their defence. No problems with the attack but they really need to start limiting their opponents tries because as we saw during the weekend the comeback doesn't always materialise against the better defensive teams. Their spine is probably the best attacking one they've had with JT, Morgan, Granville and Coote. They've got two of the best props in the competition and speed and strength in the outside backs. The 2nd rowers are workhorses and the bench provide good impact. I thought the last couple of years was their best chance but this year they definitely have the team to go all the way. They just have to remember that defence wins premierships.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Maybe not Baz. They have proved this year that not only can they win on the road, but they can do it without JT. But you're right that they are better with him, as would any side that had him on the roster.