Following three years of what has seemed to be the same story each year – high hopes in pre-season that the Cowboys will hit their straps and be the team to match their roster quality on paper, only to be followed by knowing what to expect and a same routine each week – losing 84-20 over the two weeks prior to this week’s game should’ve been something close to water off a duck’s back for me.
However, this week was slightly different. Usually, I have managed to maintain a slight sense of optimism through the week of each game that my beloved Cowboys will play this week. But not this week. I noticed through the week that this was the first time in a very long time that I had such an ugly feeling. This week I had felt absolute contempt, and it was almost as if I really wasn’t looking forward to this game. I was almost emotionless through the week.
Why shouldn’t I have been?
Coming into this game there was no Michael Morgan, Scott Drinkwater or Valentine Holmes – three designated members of the Cowboys’ spine. Debutant Daejarn Asi was tasked with occupying the five-eighth position alongside Jake Clifford. While Clifford is silky and skilful, his game management is yet to be seen in his NRL career.
Meanwhile, the Panthers were the scorers of the second most points in the league after Round 9. Penrith were the highest set completers and the lowest in conceding errors and line breaks heading into this game. They were back at their beloved stadium at the foot of the mountains. They have a spine that is rightfully receiving countless amounts of recognition despite losing star playmaker James Maloney to a rich Catalans Dragons deal last season.
Nathan Cleary leads a strong Penrith side. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The cards were firmly stacked against the Cowboys. However, they didn’t disappoint this week, and while not a win, it’s the best I have felt since our shock upset over the Knights.
The northern stars
Hammer time
While his NRL career games are only in the single digits, and it hasn’t been a full year since he’d legally been allowed to buy himself a beer, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had been dealt a difficult task in playing in the fullback role for the Cowboys.
There has been a lot to like about the Cairns product, especially his Perth Nines performances, which blew many rugby league fans away with being able to leave regular first graders clawing for air at a pace that had comparisons drawn to Storm speedster Josh Addo-Carr.
While he had appeared somewhat gun shy on the attack in recent weeks, like many Cowboys fans, I had been waiting to see him back himself in open space – and my wish was finally granted.
Daejarn Asi
He was a big-bodied, Christchurch-born, touch footy star through his junior years.
Even most Cowboys fans were searching the internet to try and find some information on the number 14 that Paul Green had named for his NRL debut on Tuesday afternoon, but if they’re like me, they’ll be hoping to see his name on the sheet again for next week’s game against a Manly side who had pulled off a gritty win against Parramatta.
A try, three tackle breaks, 18 tackles, two missed tackles and a tidy kicking game made for a performance sufficient to say Asi held his own and didn’t look out place on debut. There was plenty to like, and to the relief of many Cowboys fans, he signed for three years in February.
Support play
In addition to the glimpse of what the man called by his teammates as “the cheetah” is capable of, what I found the most pleasing about the Tabuai-Fidow try was the support play leading up to it.
With Reece Robson, an eyes-up hooker that suits the modern game as a dummy-half, Scott Drinkwater, a pacy, opportunistic, creative playmaker/fullback, and Valentine Holmes, whose pace and ability to break lines is what earned him his status in the NRL as a Shark, support play should be fundamental in the Cowboys’ attack.
However, it had almost seemed that Paul Green’s men had forgotten what support runs are. Here’s hoping it continues next week.
What the bull dropped on the barn floor
Game management
The painstakingly obvious difference between the two sides was the game management.
Twenty-two-year-old Nathan Cleary continued to show an ability to manage a game and take control of his side beyond his years, particularly in the second half when it mattered. This is the making of a player who will win the accolades.
This is where Michael Morgan is the man for the Cowboys – and what they have missed following the retirement of Johnathan Thurston.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
While Morgan has endured his critics, he can manage a game and this has only become more obvious for the Cowboys in recent weeks.
The second half
While the Cowboys lack the game manager, what has been a thorn in the side for Cowboys fans is the 40-minute performances that we have been accustomed to seeing.
This week was no different, a 4-4 first half was cancelled out by an 18-6 losing second half.
Games are won over 80 minutes, not 40. And the Cowboys still can’t seem to grasp this concept if their performances over the last three years have been anything to go by.
Discipline
Twelve errors from the Cowboys – even more than the amount made in last week’s thumping at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
They were mostly cheap errors that didn’t need to be conceded, which shows that this is an area the Cowboys desperately need to improve and will likely become a regular occupant of this section of my new weekly segment.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Hear hear Jimmy, amazing how some self confidence and belief can affect ones attitude. Absolutely gobsmacked by Greenies departure yesterday though, didn't expect that outcome.
Adam
Roar Guru
80 mins, 54 tackles and 200+ running metres (and a kick). He was cooked
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree about HTF. Dylan Edwards used to get the same treatment,now he either runs around them or if they circle him he goes to ground quick smart. You can't stay upright in a tackle if you weigh 80 kgs. He also needs to attack the ball a lot harder ala Gutho, Papen H, Teddy etc. Mind you HTF will be 6 kilos heavier in a year or two..
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
That's true, they were poor. Losing Whare after a few minutes and then the fullback later in the game, made them very disjointed for most of the game. It was only in the last 15 minutes when Cleary took control they started to look organised and settled into a groove.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Hey North , yeah it was good to be engrossed in a game again rather than just watch on shaking your head . A lot of of positives for the Cows here, let's hope it continues.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Might be season fatigue as opposed to game fatigue...it’s a pretty big role to have to fill relatively new into first grade...
Albo
Roar Rookie
My two bobs worth regarding the Cowboys yesterday was that it was a marked improvement in defensive commitment. And some youngsters really stood up to indicate the future should be bright. I have been critical of the "hammer" for his lack of involvement , but that one moment of magic yesterday showed just what attacking capability he has to offer given a slight bit of space. Young Asi too had a great debut and he has a bit of Ponga about him, but perhaps more robust. Cotter too offered some spark out of dummy half and backing up . Jake Clifford is looking better each week and McGuire put in his usual 100% effort. But the pack was well contained by the Panthers and even JT13 was limited to 135 m and never really threatened. The Cowboys commitment was there and the Panthers were sluggish early on yesterday, until Cleary upped the intensity in the 2nd half with those two big tackles in a row, and the Cowboys day was over from that point.
Ross
Roar Rookie
This was a very encouraging performance. Reuben Cotter had his best game so far, especially running. Green's game plan doesn't work at all unless the defensive line is on the back foot, so straight running from the halves and hookers is where it has to start. Cliffo has been good at this, but if for the next few weeks Cotter, Ali and Robson can keep it direct it will eventually enable space outside for Marsters, HTF, etc. Just a nitpick about the Hammer. On kick returns he submits to the defenders and then gets bundled back 5 metres just about every time. He isn't a big lad so I get why he doesn't want to get whacked by the chasers, but why not put the foot down and try to get around them. Make the chase earn the tackle, and perhaps even make a line break or two. Finally, Gavin Cooper has been a great servant of the club, but its time to bring one of the younger fellas in. The game is now about speed, and he has it in spades between the ears, the legs don't go anymore.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
He didn’t deserve that last brush for the Cleary try..he was too knackered to scratch himself.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Agree about Robson's service recently. That was his strength when he came on for Granville. It's not really fatigue either as the games aren't that old. Clifford has a very good kicking game when he gets good early ball from dummy.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I agree about Hammer but I still think Val is their best option. That said, he could take a few tips from Hammer about staying involved. I hadn't really considered Dunn at #13 but I was thinking Wright is a tough little nugget who could play in the middle. He's not much of an offloder though where Dunn can.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Been a long time since I can say that I actually enjoyed watching the boys play. Living with a loss is easy if there's some passion and commitment. The errors should reduce as the players gain more confidence hopefully. Thought Maguire had a great game too.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cows at least turned up in defence. Their attack is still very limited. I still think the hammer should be on the wing for now. If he is a t fullback I think he needs to be more ball wider of the ruck as well as always looking for offloads to work off. The Cows to me need to move JT13 to the front row and maybe have Dunn at lock. The game is changing quickly and the idea of middle thirds might be disappearing quickly. Having a mobile ball playing lock seems to be the future.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I was one who went to google looking for Asi, as we were only discussing last week who they could replace Drinkwater with. In the absence of Morgan he has to be there again next week. The Panthers weren’t as sharp as recent weeks but even that effort yesterday would have put 20pts on them in recent weeks so I have to applaud their attitude in defence when Pennies had near 70% posession. Great to see Hammer light it up. He’s more than just a speedster, he beat Cleary 3x in that run. Speaking of, what class by Cleary. He took a scrappy game and got his team the win.
rakshop
Roar Rookie
I think there are some good things to come out of yesterday. The attack looked refreshingly sharp for a change. People keep referring to how many points the Cowboys have scored this year but I have always felt the attack has looked clunky and slow. Despite all the possession against the Panthers, it still looked crisp, and not reliant on the block plays. Positioning behind the ruck. OH…. MY….. GOD….. its only taken 3 years for Paul Green to finally work out that if his fullback/half/hooker is on the front foot at the ruck, it makes going through the ruck sooooooo much easier. I don’t know many countless times over the past 36 months someone (particularly JT13) has poked their head through only to find that there is no support player behind them or to have the support player on the back foot completely killing the momentum of the ruck, usually resulting in a one dimensional and slow middle third. The one thing that has impressed me is how many times HTF is “loitering” behind the dummy half at the play the ball. At times it almost looks like he is getting in the way. BUT…… its EXACTLY WHERE HE SHOULD BE! The Cowboys have been sooooooo ridiculously structured (to the point of being robotic) since Paul Green joined, he as times, failed to recognise one of the greatest, if the greatest strength of the team, is the go forward in the middle of the ruck. For too long he has relied on 1,2,3,4,5 kick to corner. How about 1,2,3, - offload, player on front foot – 3 again –(because at worst the receiver should make 3 – 10 meters off of the offload if they are positioned well if not more) – 4 spread – 5 attacking kick. It will speed the ruck up, make meters in the middle, which in turn will give Robson more time at the ruck. Yes its prone to error, but with the six again rule the days of ‘5 rucks and kick to corner’ are dead. However, Paul Green has still got some issues. The first is what to do with Coen Hess. It has looked really good at times this season, and I particularly have been mightily impressed with the speed of off the line in defense and his fitness, which is so often overlooked. But his edge running as all but disappeared, and the errors, oh the errors. And its not just the dropped ball, it’s the missed tackle, poor read in defence, the penalties and six’s again. I just wonder if its time next year to move Hess into the front row or at least in the middle third – ala Josh Maguire. It would mean that Gilbert would have to mature fast to act as the tackling machine for the outside half, but I just cant see where to go with Hess anymore. His liabilities on the edge are just too great to make up for the positive things he does out there. What to do with Drinkwater/Holmes/HTF. I have been highly critical of the Holmes signing – and now it makes even less sense. Drinkwater is also not a 6. He does the flashy things well but it wasn’t surprising to see that Cowboys looked better without him playing in the halves. I cant understand why so many commentators drool over his abilities at 6. Personally I think he is more of a liability in the front line then what ever points they get out of him. Unless he is prepared to go to the line you can throw as many cut out balls as you want – it wont make you a good half. Both Clifford and Asi looked much more assured in defence after one game then Drinkwater has all year, and both played at the line, and made a few clear line breaks, something that Drinkwater hasn’t done all year. Drinkwater is a fullback and with his ball playing ability and speed – is potentially a very good one. Unfortunately - we now have three very good fullbacks. Three doesn’t go into one. Clifford has showed that is better and more complete half and should partner Morgan (although I suspect Morgan will switch to center.)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hammer played the best game I’ve seen him play and showed he is right up to this quality. Scored a great try which we know he’s capable of but I liked how he was constantly sniffing around the ruck and pushing through in support I also liked the look of Asi. He immediately looked like one of those players who have time and composure Robson has ordinary service out of dummy half at times and lots of errors over the past few weeks. He gave away 2 or 3 offside penalties in the first half.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Taumalolo was very quiet, but they cannot rely on him every week What worked for the Cowboys was that the Panthers as a whole were very poor. It will be interesting to see those young guys you mentioned come along with more experience and more confidence. They need to be handled the right way. When Morgan returns hopefully he can take pressure off them
3 R M
Guest
The young players yesterday are the ones that shone imo and that's the big take away for me Gilbert Asi Lemuelu Fidow Cotter . It's the under 21 part of the squad which is really strong. When the stars come back we'll have some hard decisions to make . Just a few more minutes and we would have held it together for 80 . Nice one Joel.