The experts say North Queensland can’t win the NRL premiership without Michael Morgan. Paul Green begs to differ.
“He’s a terrific player, I can understand why they’d say that,” the Cowboys coach said.
“But I don’t necessarily agree.”
Either way, someone is about to be proved right.
The Cowboys are now preparing for a finals campaign without Morgan, the man who has transformed their team this year and allowed the world’s best player, Johnathan Thurston, to somehow find another level.
Both Morgan (ankle) and front-rower James Tamou (neck) have been sidelined indefinitely, putting a huge dent into North Queensland’s hopes of capturing a maiden NRL title.
Tamou could be back next week but it is the syndesmosis injury to Morgan that has placed what seemed an inevitable top-two finish for the Cowboys into grave doubt.
Without him, league legends including Peter Sterling believe North Queensland are no longer a serious contender.
Green remains “hopeful” of Morgan making an early return but typically, injuries like the one he suffered against the Warriors on Saturday take at least four weeks to recover from.
That means in a best case scenario, North Queensland will have their first-choice playmaking combination back for the third week of the finals.
“He’s a quick healer so hopefully he’s back soon,” Thurston said.
“He’s obviously going to be missing for a while but you saw during the Origin period, when players are missing we’ve had boys come in and do a job for us. We’ll be expecting the same.”
It’s a reasonable argument to lean back on.
For all the disruptions and distractions of Origin, the Cowboys lost just one game between March and the start of this month.
Green and his players will be clinging to that record as proof that North Queensland are not a spent force.
“One of the most pleasing things when we look back this year is when guys have been asked to step up and do a job, they’ve all been able to do that,” Green said.
Ray Thompson has been named to replace Morgan at five-eighth for Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne, and Green has given the 25-year-old a very simple brief – keep it simple.
“Play his part in the team. Do his job,” Green said.
Tamou, meanwhile, has been cleared of any major damage to his neck and is viewed as a “week-to-week” proposition.
The NSW Origin prop battled neck issues through the pre-season and looked in strife when he was felled by New Zealand’s Simon Mannering halfway through Saturday’s clash in Auckland.
Back-rower Gavin Cooper has come into the Cowboys side in his place, with Ben Hannant to move to prop alongside co-captain Matt Scott.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
That's a fair assessment. If JT was out this whole conversation would be entirely different. At this stage I'd like to address the issue we all know is going to rear its head come finals time. You got it - conspiracies. Or if not a juicy conspiracy then an excuse for why the Cowbies crash and burn come finals time. Look boys we need to get off 'island time '. It's an 80 minute game, with your track record down south you need to be at 100%. ¿
nopuritan
Guest
My biggest concern with the Cowboys is this inclination they have to start playing the game at the 20 minute mark. They better learn to switch on from the kick off because they wont get away with that in the finals
Joe
Roar Rookie
The team is weaker without Morgan that's for sure. Can they still win the premiership without him, yes they can. Ray Thompson is a pretty handy replacement as is Robert Lui. Both of these two would likely be playing first grade in most other teams in the comp. Morgan has that extra though that might be needed in the tough games. He has provided that crucial play or break during some tough games this year and his speed in attack and defense will be missed. When you have someone that quick defending on the inside it gives confidence to the outside players to drift out to the outside players. Good test for the new combo first up against the Storm this weekend and at the end of the day JT is still there. Now if it were JT that were injured I'd write off the Cowboys chances.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Big Jimmy hasn't really been bludging all year. He had a soft start after his neck surgery, but then he ramped it up which coincided with their winning streak. The last two weeks you could argue he didn't seem to start the game fully switched on, but I'd put that down to the length of the season. Perhaps giving him a spell for a few games will be a masterstroke. Morgan is another thing entirely, interesting Greeny is opting for Thompson in a one for one replacement, I would have done it differently but he never asked me. ;-)
cedric
Guest
wow, Morgan & Tamou injured. But I would have thought the elephant in the room was; with a full side being carved up for the 1st 20 minutes by two 20 year old Warriors and one of them on debut. Then the big break for Tamou's injury and normal transmission was resumed or was it. I think maybe Thurston and co knew they were always going to attack the Warriors left edge where three 20 year olds were defending. I think the Warriors played 5 players 20 years of age that day and ofcourse it showed in the end. This Cows starting looks alot like 2014. If they can give the Warriors a 16 point lead what would they give the Roosters again!!!!!!
big J
Guest
The Cowboys have enough depth to win without either player. I agree with nopuritan Tamou's a bludger and has been for a long time. Thompson is a decent replacement and battling their psychological semi finals scars is dead right. The poor buggers are probably are wondering how they are going to get screwed out of the finals this year, they will really need to but the past behind them and focus on winning and winning big. You cant screw a team out of a game is your ahead by 20 or more. Look at that Barry you and I agree on something, that is a good thing, well actually two things Farrah should probably look at the Titans for next year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think they can win without Morgan and Tamou. Thompson appears to be the safe choice. Not as sharp as Lui but a better defender. Better with the ball than Kostjasyn but not as good in defence. Battling their semi final psychological scars will be a bigger issue than who's wearing the 6...
nopuritan
Guest
Tamou's no loss, he's been bludging nearly all season. Ray Thompson will go good. Morgan will be back. Cowboys - unbeatable.
SpongeBob
Guest
Can't wait to see them in the finals...! Not.