The Cowboys stormed their way into the 2018 grand final, despite missing co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott for the majority of the season. Can they go one better in 2018?
Last season
Eighth, 13 wins, 11 losses, 467 points scored, 443 points against
Last five seasons
Eighth, fifth, third (premiers), fourth (lost preliminary Final), seventh (lost grand final)
2017 review
North Queensland had an outstanding 2017, despite suffering injuries to key players. They proved themselves a resilient and mentally tough side by hanging tough and then elevating their game once they got to the finals.
They have a strong culture and good depth, and there is no way any other side in the competition could have achieved what they did with the obstacles put in their way.
Their performances against the Sharks, Eels and Roosters in September were all outstanding wins away from home, before the Storm proved too classy in the decider.
The Cowboys were one of the best defensive sides in the NRL, conceding less than 19 points per game, and winning a number of physical and low-scoring contests.
2018 gains
Carlin Anderson (Townsville Blackhawks – 2019), Jordan McLean (Storm – 2020), Francis Molo (Townsville Blackhawks – 2018).
2018 losses
Patrick Kaufusi (Storm), Patrick Mago (Broncos), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Ray Thompson (retired), Braden Uele (Sharks), Blake Leary, Ben Spina (released).
Kalyn Ponga following his 2016 semi-final debut. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
They further bolstered their stocks up front with the signing of Jordan McLean from the Storm, who adds more size and grunt to a pack already containing Matt Scott and Jason Taumololo.
The Cowboy are really going to rue losing Kayln Ponga to the Knights. He is a freakish talent who could become a superstar in the next couple of seasons.
Coach – Paul Green
Green enhanced his reputation as one of the best coaches in the game last season. His side have now reached two of the last three grand finals, and three straight preliminary finals, in a period of outstanding consistency.
What impressed was the way Green got the best out of a player like Michael Morgan as a key playmaker, and forged a game style that didn’t rely on Johnathan Thurston. It was not the most flashy style of football, however it was error free and tough.
Most important player – Johnathan Thurston
The future Immortal returns for what a farewell tour in the NRL.
Having retired from Origin, the Cowboys will be hoping to take advantage of having Thurston through that middle of the year grind when they lose players to the game’s showpiece.
JT will have to deal with plenty of traffic coming his way, coming off shoulder surgery, however he has dealt with that his whole career. He will be desperate to go out on a high, and it is hard to bet against him, but can his body still handle what the mind wants to do?
AAP Image/Dan Peled
2018 side
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Matt Scott (c) 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Ben Hampton 15. Scott Bolton 16. Coen Hess 17. John Asiata
2018 verdict – 10th
Maybe I have gone mad, however there’s always one side to fall off their perch when no one expects them to. It happened in 2016 with the Roosters, and last year with the Bulldogs. I’m going out on a bit of a limb and thinking it might be North Queensland, given their ageing stars.
There has been plenty of hype about the return of Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston, however they are both returning from serious injuries at the end of their careers. Plus, they are coming back into a side that learnt to win without them. How will Michael Morgan adjust to playing second fiddle again after being so good at halfback last year?
What’s more, their centres lack pace, and Lachlan Coote is generally safe but not explosive as fullback. They do have a very good pack, and Jason Taumololo will terrorise sides once again, however the likes of Gavin Cooper and Scott are getting on.
Most pundits have this club in their top four or five, however they only just snuck into the finals last season.
I’m going out on a limb and saying they just miss the finals.
Eddie’s ladder
10th: North Queensland Cowboys
11th: Newcastle Knights
12th: South Sydney Rabbitohs
13th: Gold Coast Titans
14th: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15th: Wests Tigers
16th: New Zealand Warriors
Prozaz
Guest
It could go either way. Coen Hess and Jordan McLean are locked up for a few years. That is a good young core of player signed long-term.
Paulo_W
Guest
Gday Eddie, im a lead conrtibutor on the Cowboys forum-im okay with your article. Coote will have trouble being explosive this year, already pulling up with hammy tightness. Oneils speed isnt seen much, so i understand why you think there is no pace in the centres
Griffo
Guest
Kane Linnett might struggle to get back into the side if somebody else does well in that centre position. Too often attacking forays die with the ball in his hands. In pressure situations he is prone to making mistakes. His defence and runs out of the Cowboys end have kept him in the side but he is without a doubt the least talented player in the Cowboys lineup
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Agree about Ponga. He's going to take a couple of years to develop so the Knights shouldn't expect too much too quickly. I guess if they throw the money at you what you gonna do?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Not sure about your prediction of an era of Cowboy dominance. JT will be gone and Matt Scott probably as well. You will need to rely on Morgan and Taumololo to keep things going. JT is just about irreplaceable.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree with you about them making the eight but a minor premiership would be an extraordinary achievement for the Cowboys. I think they do too much travelling and get impacted by origin so they’re giving away a few points. I guess this year Thurston won’t be away during Origin but Morgan will.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Sorry Eddie, but I'm just going to assume you were on some hard drugs when you wrote this review!! Wow. Just wow haha My tip, first minor premiership and your 2018 premiers. I also tip the Cowboys to make the finals for the next 5 years at least. The next super power club.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
My thoughts exactly Baz - it was the Raiders who were the surprise failures last year - the Raiders were on the up and the Dogs were on the slide so no surprise there. Of the 8 from last season I see Manly as potentially dropping out and possibly the Panthers and the Broncos. And the Dragons and Raiders are best placed to take their place.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
If JT and Matt Scott were fit I don't think the Cowboys would have been struggling to make the 8 last season. And they are available at the start of this season. Just can't see the logic of your prediction that they will miss the 8. There is no way JT will let this happen in his last year. They are almost unbeatable at home and have learned to win away - particularly in pressure finals. Can't see them being any lower than top 3.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I read the Parra review first and noticed you had the Cowbies in tenth position, fairly gobsmacked is an understatement. Couple of updates for you, Kane Linnett is about to go under the knife for a torn pec', so we won't see him for ages. Corey Jensen kept Matt Scott out of the grand final, any other side would have thrown the dice on a Queensland & Kangaroo starting prop in his return from injury and played him. Not Paul Green, he backed those who did the hard work in getting into position to challenge an exceptional Melbourne Storm. I'm still a bit dirty on Kalyn Ponga, or his dads advice, in deciding to head to Newcastle. In my opinion he's still a year or two away from a permanent fullback role, this is going to be a mammoth year for him phisycally, good luck kid. Naturally injuries are going to be a factor - well duh! I doubt this year can get any worse than last year. If anything they have already been tested in that sense. I wonder if John Asiata has been training in the centres this week, stranger things have happened.
Griffo
Guest
Roosters in 2016 had their halfback getting a nice extended Australia Day weekend holiday and a whole host of injuries, as well as losing Maloney to the sharks. Granted, a player could be enveloped by a scandal and there could be a host of injuries but are you going to tip that those things happen? There's too much experience and quality. We're just talking about flashy player, there is so much representative experience. There is a guy who holds the record for most Dally M Medals and another guy who became the first running forward in his own lifetime to win a dally m. Then there are guys who stood up when the going was tough to lead the side without their captains; Cooper, Morgan, Bolton. I'm not saying that they will definitely win the premiership but apart from injuries I can't see what reason would cause this falling from the perch and to bet on injuries occurring to key players would be a bit silly.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Just about anything could happen this year. It's nice to have gun outside backs but the days when your centres were close to the best players in the team are long gone and it's possible to win a title with fairly pedestrian outside backs. I have to think for a while to remember who the games top centres are and even then it's a bit of a struggle. Think of fullbacks and some names pop up straight away.
the Shafe
Guest
10th?? I fell of the chair, not laughing. Won't happen. Keep it coming though, I'm still reading. :) And I like your progressive ladder at the bottom of each article.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
Last season they were running 6th or better coming out of origin looking at the usual lift into the finals got smashed by injuries for weeks lost to sides they should have beaten then got to the Grand. Yes it was lucky ,but they were not impostors. Gavin Cooper still easily keeps Coen Hess on the bench . Admittedly Coote and Linnet are just good players and there is more speed in the squad. But 10 th with Jt Jt13 Ms Mm You would have to give the other sides horse drugs With a bit of luck they will have their chance again
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sure did. But that doesn’t mean if Thurston or Taumalolo go down early this season that they’ll automatically make the eight. Anyway that’s not the point I’m making. Thurston and Taumalolo stay healthy they’ll make the eight.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sure did. But that doesn’t mean if Thurston or Taumalolo go down early this season that they’ll automatically make the eight. Anyway that’s not the point I’m making. If Thurston and Taumalolo stay healthy they’ll make the eight.
Gray-Hand
Guest
But that happened last year, and they still made the Grand Final.
i miss the force
Guest
i as thinking around 7th
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
Like I said guys it is a little bit of a speculative pick. I would not say I am overly confident. However lets remember if the Dragons beat the Bulldogs last season in Round 26 the Cowboys don't even make the Top 8. I know they went on that fairy tail run, however there was an air of "nothing to lose" about that run. There was no pressure on them.
KingCowboy
Guest
I have given this a fair amount of thought over the last couple of weeks and I think our most important player is Granville. I am confident we can cover every position but hooker. I am not saying he is our best player (though I do rate him highly) but he to me, so much comes off him in out attack and he is so strong defending in the middle.