North Queensland champion Johnathan Thurston needs to give up his No.7 jumper now.
That’s the opinion of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who believes Cowboys coach Paul Green must fast-track Michael Morgan as the team’s new halfback in a bid to save their flailing season.
The Cowboys’ disappointing campaign reached a new low on Saturday after falling to a six-point loss against last-placed Parramatta in a game where Morgan was rested.
However, his inclusion would’ve mattered little as the Cowboys completed at a porous 58 per cent against the Eels – their worst handling effort of the season.
“We spoke about it halftime and it actually got worse in the second half. Really disappointing from that point of view,” Green said.
Morgan was a late withdrawal after pulling up sore following the State of Origin opener, but is expected to be recalled for next week’s clash against the Warriors.
“With a shorter turnaround next week, if he played tonight it’d definitely put him at risk the following week. And whether or not he’d get through a whole game or not was in question too,” Green said.
But while Morgan is likely to be re-inserted at fullback or five-eighth, Meninga has surprisingly called for the Queensland star to replace Thurston as the team’s primary playmaker.
Morgan is already pencilled in to become the Cowboys’ new No.7 when Thurston retires at the end of the year, however Meninga believes the time is nigh for him to take the reins now.
North Queensland are currently in 14th spot on eight points, and will need to win all ten of their remaining matches just to reach the traditional 28 point cutoff to make the finals.
If they don’t, Thurston’s career is likely to end with a whimper.
“Morgs should play seven, he needs to be on the football,” Meninga said on Fox Sports.
“He thinks less (at halfback). When he is thinking less he plays his best footy. (Johnathan) can sit back and play six. He needs to take the back seat.
“(Morgan) played seven basically all last year and was the competition’s best player.
“He needs to be on the ball. He does worry about things so the less he thinks and more he plays with instinct the better he will get.”
Green admitted their handling problems – they entered last night’s match ranked 13th in the league in average completion rates – are a mental issue.
“They’re fundamental errors we’re making so it’s not skill or talent. So you would need to get to the bottom of it, usually what’s going on in people’s heads,” he said.
Griffo
Guest
That's a joke, right? He's probably marginally faster across the turf than Tim Glasby and you want him to play on the wing?
Muzz
Guest
JT is a champion. One of the best i've seen play the game however he looks cooked! I'd give him a run on the wing. Agree with Mal re Morgan to 7.
Rob
Guest
JT has been a champion player on the field for the Cowboys. Well be alright if we stick with the NQ kids, Griffo. We just have to ride this year out.
Griffo
Guest
Perhaps he pulled out all stops in that game, but realistically if he made it through without looking like a passenger he was going to be selected for Queensland. He wouldn't have been left out because he'd had a bad game. He would only have been left out if he was unfit to play. Maybe he got bad advice or maybe he was unlucky to injure his shoulder again. Maybe the extent of the injury was not properly known. My point about the way he played was to counter your claim that Munster and Morgan were better options, but if Thurston had have been ruled out I would have been happy with either of thosd guys as I was in Game 3. Regarding this season, that decision was made quite some time ago. Anyway, maybe you're right but I think it looks worse retrospectively although made more sense at the time he signed on for another year.
Rob
Guest
Langer is a legend also was my point. How he finished is totally his call. I thought someone would suggest JT’s form was fantastic leading into SOO 2 based on the Eels game. Personally I think he pulled out all stops to prove he could play and get selected but the shoulder was never good, He’s tough as old boots but I think the penny has dropped now that as Jimmmy said the orange has been well and truely squeezed. He is very stubborn or got bad advice IMO. Smith has made a good call.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! I think you are right jimmy ! And Brandy nailed it months ago amidst criticism, in stating he looked like he had gone a year too long. And it is becoming even more obvious today. His body cannot keep up with his commitment to achieve at the highest level. He is getting belted each week, getting bumped off in tackles regularly and he is obviously carrying some injuries. He is not helping his Cowboy mates right now. Time to hang up the boots champion, and set your sights on the next stage of your career in the coaching and training fields.
Griffo
Guest
Morgan should have played there from the start of the season. I hate to say I told people so because I'd rather be happy than right.... but I did bloody tell em so!
Griffo
Guest
Rob, if you watch his game for the Cowboys vs Parramatta last year, his last game before SOO2 and las game for the Cowboys last year, you'll see that he played a blinder with 3 try assists and a try. The one and only time I think he shouldn't have played state of orivin was Game 1 2013, which incidentally is when he broke Gary Larsen's record with his 25th consecutive game. He couldn't kick properly and was a liability. So from that perspective I see you could have a point but I don't agree with SOO last year as an example of this.
Rob
Guest
I look at it another way. Langer felt he wasn’t giving the team what they needed and his presence and mindset just wasn’t good enough to continue. He was just stopping another kid getting a go and it wasn’t fair on anyone. players, coach and supporters. While I wouldn’t question JT’s commitment or skill I have always struggled with his some what selfishness. He souldn’t have played SOO last year (Munster or Morgan were better options)the way he has played for the Cowboys on many occasions especially in big games. He’s played on to set records now IMO.
RoryStorm
Guest
In my opinion the difference between Alan Langer and Jonathan Thurston is Thurston is not a quitter. When Langer quit (for the first time) he literally chucked the towel in and left his teammates to fend for themselves which was a pretty selfish move. Langer was used to have the bragging rights and rubbing opposition teams noses into the dirt. At the time I felt Langer took the easy option. It wasn't long before he was playing in England which was a strange move for someone who was finished. I hope Thurston has more class than Langer had at the time. I would have a much higher opinion of Thurston if he stuck it out to the end of the season rather than desert his teammates now. Only time will tell Matt but I'm hoping Thurston will stand beside his teammates rather than turning his back on them. It's not as if he played badly last night, rather that Parramatta were more determined to add two more points next to their name. I agree with both Thurston and Paul Green explaining their loss. The harder they were trying the worse they. They need to catch the ball before they start thinking about their next play. Hang in there Jonathan. Please.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Very sad about JT, not the way a champion deserves to go out. If his form is that bad, maybe he should just pull the pin. Losing to Parramatta is a new low, considering their form. Does JT really want to go out with a wooden spoon? Maybe the dignified thing to do is retire now. It's not the first time a great Queensland halfback has done that mid season. Alan Langer in 1999, wasn't it?
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
Well as someone who has been calling for Thurston's retirement since the beginning of the year, I couldn't agree more with this and I cant scream "I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!" loud enough, Thurston didn't play that bad last night but he is steering a sinking ship to its doom. How embarrassing would it be for Thurston to collect the wooden spoon in his final season? The rats are already off the ship, time to bail. Its really sad that things have come to this for the Cowboys, but they have done it to themselves.
jimmmy
Guest
I agree with Mal. Morgs will be the seven next year so he may as well get used to it . The Cows season has been over for a while now so we must look to next year. Not only would I play Morgs at 7 I would play Martin at 6 and even bring Clifford in for a couple of games. This means JT stood down for a few games . Well so be it . The Cows can only think about the future. Short sighted thinking is what got us into the space we are in and we need to continually think about what comes next. To resurrect the Cows we need renewal now.