Newly-appointed Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has made an immediate impact, with his side stunning North Queensland 26-16 in Townsville on Saturday.
All the drama surrounding wantaway half Mitchell Moses seemed a mile away from as the battling Tigers stunned the 2015 premiers who saw superstar halfback Johnathan Thurston carried off late in the game with a leg injury.
Thurston was a notably absent from the post-match press conference and Cowboys coach Paul Green was coy on the extent of the injury to his star playmaker.
“Yeah, I’m not exactly sure and I don’t want to speculate at the moment,” Green said.
“I think it’s calf at this stage so we’ll see how bad it is.”
A potential stint on the sidelines would add yet another name to the Cowboys injury list already headlined by Test and Maroons stars Matt Scott, Justin O’Neill and experienced backs Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein.
Thurston’s absence coincided with Jacob Little darting over for the match-sealing try and Parramatta-bound Moses let out an audible yell of delight when he knocked over the conversion to ice the biggest upset of the 2017 season.
Moses looked every inch a committed Tiger as he and his teammates celebrated wildly after the full time siren, with the surprise result a perfect way to distract from the club refusing to immediately release him to the local rivals.
Tigers captain Aaron Woods looked a relieved man as his side snapped a four-game losing streak and while thrilled with the result he said the hard work would start again for the Easter Monday’s clash with Parramatta.
“The last time we were up here we got beat 68-6 so I’ve had a few nightmares at this joint and to have a win in this situation was really good,” he said.
“We’ve been getting hammered the last couple of weeks but that’s the rugby league world and a win shuts a lot of people up.
“We just need to keep building on this.”
North Queensland got off to a horror start when a Kyle Feldt error allowed Ava Seumanufagai to stroll over for the game’s opener and the lead was 10-0 after nine minutes when Elijah Taylor crossed untouched down the right wing.
The pain continued for the hosts when David Nofoaluma charged over for the Tigers’ third try as the out-of-sorts Cowboys were thoroughly out-enthused right across the park.
The home fans finally had something to cheer about when the $10 million man Jason Taumalolo skittled Tigers props Aaron Woods and Tim Grant to score a dominant solo try and put his team back in to the contest.
Just as North Queensland looked to have finally woken up the Tigers struck again when hooker Matt McIlwrick caught the markers napping and dove over for a soft four-pointer next to the posts to hand the Tigers a shock 20-6 lead at the half.
Tearaway forward Coen Hess got the Cowboys off to a perfect start to the second half when he pounced on an inch perfect Thurston grubber to narrow the gap to eight points.
Tigers forward Chee-Kam bombed a certain try that would’ve killed the game with 11 minutes to play and the Cowboys made the visitors pay when Hess charged over for his second try of the night.
But the Tigers held on for a much-needed victory.
Deano70
Guest
The Tigers occasionally pull one off against the Cowboys, they do it by shutting Thurston down, for some reason somewhere amongst the mediocrity they find it in themselves to be able to beat the Cowboys. Parra will find the early season form next week and put 30-40 points on the Tigers. I will say though the Tigers first half against the Cowboys was the best half they've played this year, and they stood their digs in defence when taking heavy fire. The Cohen Hess try from the kick was despicable. Tigers attack was still poor, dummy half and tries from kicks sealed the deal
The Barry
Roar Guru
But they're a lock for a top five spot...no other club can possibly keep them out.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Such a sexist comment.
Rob
Guest
Green has failed to move on the older players and blood youth. Holding onto Scott, Thurston and Cooper is probably the limit of experience the side needs. Linnett, Bolton, Coote and Winterstien should have been let go by the end of this year. JT signing on for more seasons after this year is going backwards also. At least Bennett is capable of making the hard decisions that need to be made.
Albo
Guest
The Cows looked uninterested when they ran out onto the field last night. The hard slog looks to have got to a few already this early in the season. Sure missed Granville around the rucks, and JT looked unusually confused for options at times. Injuries look like playing a big part on their year this time. Tigers turned up unsure of what the night would hold, but were handed a gift try upfront and from there decided to throw it around and have some fun , and it all paid off against a Cows team that was just clunky all night .
Art Vandelay
Guest
The Cowboys aren't a Broncos or Roosters side that's brimming with quality across the park. They have 4 players that carry the team. Scott and Taumololo up front and Granville and JT in attack. Sure Coote, Morgan and Cooper are good players but they look much better than they would if it weren't for the first 4. The Cows could have coped with Scott gone but with Taumololo also missing against Manly there's not going to be any go forward. Although Ponga's ball playing isn't up to Cootes standards Coote hasn't been anywhere near his best since early 2016, ditto Morgan who has always been inconsistent. The outside backs are average and wouldn't get a spot in many other sides. Hampton is not the hooker the Cowboys need. Granville has attacking flair and runs but firstly he's a fast, clean and decisive distributor. With the Cowboys being the side that uses the least tackle offloads they rely on ball movement before the line to open defences and to do this it requires sufficient time or the attack becomes rushed and lacks cohesion. The hooker whose a tackling machine is not what is most important to their game. A hooker providing crisp service allows the attack to build its pressure which in turn nullifies the oppositions attack. Paul Greens got some big decisions to make and very soon. There needs to be something a bit drastic or the lack of confidence that is seeping through the squad will take hold.
The Barry
Roar Guru
She's a funny old game...
souvalis
Guest
Agree with the Granville comment..but what a beautiful victory ! Moses has hopefully quietened his knockers,most dangerous player on the paddock,outstanding game..long range predict him to be in the World Cup squad.. What can you say about Nofa..Rapana is the best finisher,but heres a winger who creates more than he finishes..coaches have to help him with his defence quicker rather than later..love to see these two in the Anzac Test on Holmes and Fergo.. Putting two of these performances together will be a good marker for Cleary..
Roberto
Guest
Individual efforts from Hess and Taumololo propped up the Cows score, otherwise it would been an embarrassing defeat at 1300 Smiles. Did Michael Morgan even play? I only noticed him give a nothing bomb into Tigers goal for a 7 set start on their way to a try at the other end. Not worthy of retaining the Origin utility role, give it to DCE. Granville is the spark of this Cowboys outfit. Hampton is not a hooker - he made Leary look like Cam Smith.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
After a dream run with injuries in 2015 and 2016 it looks like the Cowboys luck has run out. Happens to all teams at one stage and can completely derail a season. If Thurston is out for 6 weeks, I think that is their season done. They appear well off anyway and his injury will add to the clunkiness of their play. Something doesn't seem right up north. Barring JT2 and Hess I'd say most players are well below their best.
kk
Roar Pro
The Coroner's Report and carcass count relating to the Strutting Dragon and Prowling Tiger attacks on a very Black Saturday will no doubt confirm DCE's previous public statement. " This comp is so even that If you are ten percent off your game, you'll get beaten" Congratulations to SGI and Wests Tigers for reminding us that with team spirit you can do anything. It has proven difficult to bottle for subsequent use, though SGI may have done so.