Cowboys coach Paul Green is either a genius or a galoot.
I cannot understand the logic – if there is any – behind playing Johnathan Thurston against the Titans on Saturday at Townsville.
JT is the very best thing going for the Cowboys. Can Green win the comp without him? We all know that answer. So why temp fate over 80 minutes?
I can hazard a guess that JT insisted on playing in the Cows’ last home game of the season. He is the team and club captain and would want to be out there.
But it’s ridiculous, pure folly, to risk the world’s best player in a nothing game when there are so many bigger rewards in the offing.
With one round to play, North Queensland are running third on 36 points. Even if they lose, they will still finish in third position. And they are playing the Gold Coast Titans, one win from the bottom of the league and playing for beer money.
The Cowboys are playing for a maiden premiership. Why would any coach risk his stars – and primarily the code’s superstar – in a game with absolutely nothing riding on the result?
Perhaps Thurston insisted he was playing. Okay, as the club’s senior player he is entitled to his opinion, but in this instance coach Green should have told him who is in charge.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” should be the mantra from the head man.
“We cannot win this comp without you and I think you could benefit from a week off to freshen up for the finals. You won’t be playing.”
All it would take to shatter the Cowboys’ title hopes would be an injury, an unlikely suspension; anything untoward that could rub Thurston out of Week 1 of the finals.
The Cowboys are one of the most dangerous teams heading for the finals. Sure they have drifted in the betting, but they have the material from fullback to the front row to go all the way and create history.
Thurston is North Queensland’s engine, the driving force, their inspiration. If he weren’t there in the opening finals week, his team would be a $12 chance or more to advance.
Surely naming Thurston is a smokescreen for this weekend’s game. And surely Green is smarter than what this all seems.
I have no inside mail, but I am expecting JT to come down with a late cold, a hamstring niggle, an ingrown toenail, or a sick family pet that will sideline him an hour or so before kickoff.
Take a well-deserved week off JT. There are far bigger fish to fry than the Titans.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Yes, they have to be a chance. Going to be difficult getting to the Big One but there might - might - be a late bonus. M Morgan has not been ruled out for the season. I think all of the ingredients are there but they must improve their starts to games. They look good value at $4.50.
coltrainz
Guest
Thanks for the reply Tim. I genuinely like your work and nash teeth at the thought of some of the last thoughtful, well written content disappearing.
Jarijari
Guest
Hey Slow Benjamin here, can they finally win the comp this year, whadya reckon?
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think JT would have had a lot of input on whether he played and he would have chosen to play especially at home in the last game of the round. Ben Hunt seems to have been pulled out of the Thursday game due to injury. Wonder whether the same will happen to other players during the course of the weekend as results deem it unnecessary e.g. Roosters if Storm win. Whatever happens I hope JT plays finals as he is great to watch.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
You can relax Up in the North. Dave Taylor hasn't been physical in any of the 169 first grade games that he's played so far so I doubt anything will change in his last game.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
I doubt JT needs any more points.
Muzz
Guest
One hand on the trophy, Bob
Samtwocan
Guest
Not gunna happen Bob ...and its Littleredturkey to you .
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Tim, with Michael Morgan out injured the Cowboys would risk both a deflating loss and a loss of any combination they have building with Thompson by leaving JT out.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm hearing you. I'm actually having nightmare visions of Dave Taylor getting physical in a spiteful way in his last hurrah in oz. Don't know why but it's a feeling I've got. Although he had a big one last week so that's his quota of good games dusted. The one player everyone seems to forget and who was a big reason for early success was Toutua Moga, part of the Cowbies problems at the mo are their options during the middle of the tackle count, say 2,3,4. They're getting the ball moving but when it looks like a good movement is needed it aint happening. Take last game , they had a good 10 - 15 metres on each play, got into the opposing 5 - 10 metres and stuffed it up, not once not twice but at least six times (I lost count) then Melbourne get into the opposition 10 metres once and score off it. My favorite line at the moment is you don't go downtown and not buy something. Man its hard work slogging upfield for five tackles and to not score at the end of it sucks all wind out of your sails.
planko
Guest
Could not agree more but he played last year as well against Cronulla from memory in exactly the same situation as in no chance of improvement on the ladder. Only one thing can happen by playing him against a whole of players who will be out to have a "little fun".
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Valid point re the Dally M points, but I can't see him being like that and I certainly don't think Greeny would endorse that course. I think it's simply a case of the Cowbies needing to field the best team against everybody regardless of who they are. Thompson would be at a huge disadvantage if he was to be made JT-less , way too much pressure. Unless of course Morgan was to make an early return then I could see the merit in giving Thurston a week off, at this time of year they all have some niggles which could do with a rest. So while I agree it's a gamble having your gun player run out in a nuffy game the upside for the team is higher.
Jimbo Jones
Guest
He wants to pick up another 3 Dally M points?
Bob from Narrabeen
Guest
You are one of the great trolls littleredrooster.... always bagging one of Sydney's best rugby league scribes. Looking forward to seeing the Tricolours bomb out in the semis - again..
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Tim, you make a valid point about the risk of losing Thurston for what appears to be a meaningless game. However given the Cowboys dodgy form lately, I think team confidence and momentum is more important to the Cows in the last round before the finals. I have no doubt that Green will pull JT off the field if the Cowboys have the game wrapped up early but they have started poorly every game this season so he'll want to address that before they start thinking resting anyone.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah Friend could do with a breather. Ditto a cordner or guerra. Maybe RTS just to preserve him. But it sure is good for the Chooks to beat their arch rivals for bragging rights
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's a tough call between resting your stars and getting the team gelling. The Cowboys have been all over the shop for the last, well, half a season really. I think it is more important to try and get a bit of confidence and fluidity into their team than it is to give JT a week off. Despite their position on the ladder they really do need a win coming into the finals. they are staring down the barrel of Brisbane at Suncorp or the Roosters at Allianz. And my prediction is that the winner of the GF will come from one of the teams that earns a week off.
theHunter
Guest
I agree, JT should be rested. The result of this match won't mean anything. I bet roosters will do the late minute changes to some of their key players if Broncos lose on Thursday.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Thurston will play. There is no way the bloke is going to casually miss a round when he has the opportunity to rap up another dally m medal with a solid performance on the weekend. The cowboys also need to play their way back into form (they have been patchy for while now). You can't do that leaving a key part of your team's nucleus out.
littleredrooster
Guest
Of course! the similarities are amazing. I often get you two mixed up.