Well, here we go again. Despite Friday’s win over the Gold Coast, the Cowboys sit outside the eight with one six competition points to their name.
Despite losing their champion half Johnathan Thurston to retirement, North Queensland acquired some big-name recruits to fill the void. Expectations were high, and the team spoke about how committed they were to return to the finals in 2019.
Things haven’t started off well. Season 2019 is mirroring 2018. Confidence among the playing group appears to be low. There are rumours swirling of a falling-out between players and coach.
Make no mistake, the Cowboys are struggling.
That’s not to say there aren’t shining lights. Former Broncos Josh McGuire and Jordan Kahu can hold their heads high.
Kahu has been the Cowboys’ most consistent outside back, returning solid metres with minimal errors.
Josh McGuire is the second most effective running forward in the competition, one metre behind David Klemmer. McGuire is averaging 174 metres and 33 tackles per game.
For all the plaudits John Bateman is receiving at Canberra, McGuire is the form forward in the NRL. He also leads the NRL in post-contact metres.
Michael Morgan has had rocks-and-diamonds moments throughout the season, but has produced good results overall, coming up with plenty of try assists, line break assists and 40-20s.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Cowboys have the most effective running forward in the competition, as well as one of the most effective halves.
So what’s missing?
A few things, to be exact. A running fullback who can break the line as well as tackles, for one. Also, a hooker who can create more try-scoring opportunities.
Te Maire Martin has been played out of position since Round 2. He is not a natural fullback. His catching technique is awkward and appears to nearly fall over himself when attempting to catch a bomb.
When he arrived at the Cowboys in 2017, he possessed a nice step and good acceleration to poke through the line. These traits seem to have abandoned him as Martin has only posted one line break this season.
In addition, he averages 97 metres, the least of any fullback in the NRL. He also leads the Cowboys in handling errors with seven.
During every game he has played at fullback, he has spilled a catch at a crucial time. I can’t fault the young man for his attitude or enthusiasm because he possesses these qualities in spades. But fullback is not his most effective position.
I hope he has a speedy recovery from a brain haemorrhage. But his unfortunate injury has spared Green making a tough call by leaving him out of the team.
Jake Granville is another player whose form has deteriorated alarmingly. So far this season he has posted no try assists, line breaks or line break assists.
In 2017 he recorded ten try assists, which was a big reason why the Cowboys made the grand final. He took a lot of play-making pressure off Morgan and his craftiness around the ruck is severely lacking.
While Kurt Baptiste has brought some spark, his highest try assist tally was two in 24 games back in 2016.
Unless Granville can rediscover his best form, the Cowboys will need someone else to help Morgan with the play-making duties if the side wants to score enough points to win matches.
Jake Clifford is the answer, but he is not being used effectively. I’ve heard plenty of coaches come out over the years and say there’s no difference between a No.6 and No.7.
I beg to differ.
Cowboys fans will know that Thurston played his best football in the No.7 jersey. Neil Henry played him at five-eighth from 2012-13 when the Cowboys experienced inconsistent form.
When Paul Green moved him back to halfback toward the end of 2014, the difference was noticeable straight away. The Cowboys went on a late-season surge and continued that form into 2015 when they won the competition.
Clifford is a natural halfback. Morgan is an effective game manager but there is no reason why he can’t manage a game at No.6 and focus on running the football, which is his greatest strength.
When the Cowboys were at the zenith of their powers from 2015-16, Thurston played first receiver and would put Morgan on the outside of opposition defenders, where he would hit a hole or draw and pass for a try assist to an outside back.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Cowboys have looked their most effective in attack this season when John Asiata is on the field playing first receiver. He has a terrific draw and pass which holds opposition middle defenders and opens space on the edges for Morgan to create opportunities.
Check out this highlights package from Round 9, 2016 when the Manly hosted North Queensland at Brookvale Oval.
Fans criticise the Cowboys’ attack for being stale and Green’s inability to refresh his plays.
Looking at this footage, the attack has regressed, rather than just remained stale.
In one play, Morgan and Thurston combine for a cross-field attacking sweep that results in a try in the left corner.
I cannot remember the last time the Cowboys halves combined to create a try.
Morgan and Clifford need to combine on attacking plays and not be restricted to only the left and right sides of the field.
If Clifford is moved to halfback and Morgan to five-eighth – and they are instructed to combine on more attacking plays – then more tries will flow off the back of their combination.
When Kyle Feldt is cleared to return from injury, he should be given an opportunity at fullback.
While he doesn’t possess the play-making abilities of the elite NRL fullbacks, he is the Cowboys’ most potent back. He has the size and speed to create try-scoring opportunities and is more adept at defusing high kicks.
Word on the grapevine is that the club is targeting boom St George Illawarra rake Reece Robson. Having a young player of his quality would be beneficial and would go a long way to resolving the club’s dummy-half issue.
Jason Taumalolo may take some time to return to his barnstorming best after suffering an MCL injury.
However, even if he averages around 150 metres per game (his lowest average since 2014), the pack should have little trouble making territory with Josh McGuire in career-best form.
If Clifford and Morgan swap positions and play to their strengths, with a dangerous Feldt lurking out the back, North Queensland’s attack should improve.
With the right changes and a bit of fortune, the Cowboys and their fans will be enjoying many a shandy over the coming weeks.
Rob
Guest
I think starting in 3 GF and winning 2 for two different clubs, playing and winning games at Origin and for Australia is runs on the board. W. Blake, Chambers, Curtis, Dugan, Scott, Lafai, M.Jennings are all in front of O'Neil of O'neil over recent years. L. Mitchell made the same amount of errors a for errors in 2017. I'd hate to think Sam Burgess and Crieghton were rated on errors against fellow back rowers? 3 tries in 2 years says a lot more about Thurston than O'neil. Up until round 7 in 2017 when JT was hurt Feldt, O'neil and Lowe had not scored a single try on the right edge only Coen Hess(6) and Morgan (2) running crash balls had scored. Kane Linnett then swapped sides and the Feldt, Lowe and Linnett scored 18 tries with Morgan (9) and Hess (7) adding another 15 tries. Green has used O'Neil as battering ram bring the ball out of the defensive end for years. Kahu, McGuire and Opacic have played 1,364 min between them for 1 Try, TTM and O'neil have 8 tries in 960min? McGuire averages less metres per carry than Taumalolo, McClean, Bolton, Scott and Asiata. Kahu has racked up try assists from catching and passing one shockingly forward. He has zero off loads in 8 games. He has played plenty of fullback and still averages less than TTM in tackle busts, off loads and run metres. I'd be looking at moving Morgan or Hampton to fullback or getting GGM in there. They could even shift Morgan to centre and have Clifford back at 7 kicking and passing with Asiata.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Mate O'Neil has made a bundle of errors in recent years, has been one of the worst offenders in the comp. Also remember 3 tries in 2 seasons, didn't have the runs on the board. I can understand why he was dropped, but that stint in the Q-Cup worked for him. He's come back with confidence. He has primarily played on the wing this season as well. He would average more meters due to kick returns. Also Kahu has more try assists than Te Maire, and has made less errors. Not denying he is the fastest back in the competition but his catching is more natural than Te and he brings the ball back with some venom which the team has been missing. Well given it was his first game there in a few weeks I think we can excuse him for being out of position, Te Maire was guilty of the same things despite spending a few games consecutively in the fullback position. Mosby would lap him in a footrace but he also lacks defensive intensity and has poor training standards, hopefully that changes but Kahu has a professional attitude and is a team player. Jensen will be a good replacement but to say that McGuire's absence won't be missed is ridiculous. He leads the linespeed, gets through the most defensive work in the team and has a burning desire to win. If the rest of the squad displayed his attitude they'd be in the top 8.
Rob
Guest
6 of the Cowboy's forward have scored tries this year. Kahu has scored 1 try in 8 games. O'neil has 5 tries in 5 games (3rd best SR in comp) Compared to OTHER Centres Kahu has averaged 80m a game which ranks him the 35th, O'Neil (120m)? He's 40th in tackles made? 25th in tackle busts? TA he ranks 20th Opacic is 4th? As for work rate O'neil, Tuala and Opacic have averaged more carries and more tackles a game? Tuala has made one error (last nights win) whilst Kahu has made 7 and is ranked 9th in errors made. Again this is comparing him against other centres. Last night the Titans scored the first try of a Kahu error, they scored their 2nd try after sustained pressure from a mid field bomb kicked from mid field that bounced in front of the goal posts and which Kahu failed to catch or clean up. Luckily O'neil grounded the ball in the in goal after Kahu ran past it. Where was Kahu when Brimson almost went the length? I don't recall Kahu in support of any try the Cowboys scored last night? I do recall Kahu being unable to get across and prevent the Titans tries. Green this year has dropped O'neil a 2x premiership winner and winner of 3 out of 5 games. Opacic a winner of 2 out of 3 games. He has moved Kahu from fullback and Martin had to do the job. TTM has 3 tries and more assist in less games than Kahu yet he cops plenty calling for his head? Tuala has managed 2 wins from 4 games. GGM would kill Kahu 1 on 1. The Titans lost their fullback early and a key maker and were still in the game. When McGuire went off the Cowboys lost nothing in defence and attack in my opinion. I think Jensen will be a good replacement.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
True mate, will be a tough game but Souths are not traveling as well as many think. Big effort last week against the Broncos, emotion around GI retiring, might be getting complacent, time for an ambush.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Hope so mate. Anyway Rabbits next week will be a better indication.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
Mate I've already enjoyed a few today and will continue to do so.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
To be fair Brimson was their best player so it's probably the best thing that could of happened to the Titans that he played close to the full game.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
I say it every week and it's so true, just a shandy away.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Moose, hope the injury goes well we need you back out there mate.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Rookie
Neil Henry? Structures? I don’t think so. Disagree on Kahu, he’s bringing the ball back like kamikaze Hunt used to, also chimed in the attack nicely. 2 try assists for Kahu at center in 4 games is also above many other centers in the NRL. Ball movement was faster than previous weeks but still clunky, I noticed Morgan bobble the pill a few times. Had my heart in my mouth. Granville finally showed some more from dummy half and we used some ruck plays. Once the timing of the passes returns, look out.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The tied turned when Tyrone Roberts went off, the Titans were right in this game and I recon they would have won if Michael Gordon was not injured, with at least his goal kicking. But, they did fall off at the end there.
Paul
Roar Guru
I really enjoy reading these "glass half full" articles from fans who know their team is struggling but still hold the faith the side can turn things around. The next three games for the Cowboys against Souths, Parra and Canberra might define just how many shandies will be downed in North Qld over the rest of the season.
Rob
Guest
Paul Green inherited a very good roster and structures. Jake Granville is the only key ingredient he brought into this team. The Titans could easily have won last night and it appeared the Cowboys got the points through a lot of individual efforts in attack. The ball movement looks slow and clunky. Probably because he has players playing out of position everywhere. Kahu is bog average and only viable as a safe catcher at the back. Kahu doesn’t bring anything in attack but somehow Green thought he could be a centre. TTM was never the best option at fullback. Asiata is the only player going at the opposition with consistent intent. McGuire has modeled his game on Gallen and shouldn’t touch the ball in the attacking 20. What is Scott doing? O’neil has been good so I wouldn’t be surprised if he is dropped soon. Clifford will probably get an offer and leave also. Green doesn’t like backing the younger boys.
Moose=Weapon
Guest
Legendary article, and thanks for paying homage to the big man, the one upstairs, the Moose. A wise man once said his team was merely a 'shandy away' (a Harvard man no less). His much malingered team went on to batter the in form Sharks and resurrect their flailing season. The Titans were woeful and should easily account for the spoon. In fact, the Titans would not look out of place in the Intrust circuit, although I expect that they would still get walloped down there.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah I love the optimism butt I'm not sure a video ref inspired victory over the Gold Coast is the kind of victory that turns seasons around.
RandyM
Guest
i thought the Titans looked more dangerous when they had the ball. Not sure what happened they just kept making errors. Cowboys still look pedestrian.