North Queensland star Michael Morgan has been forced into retirement by a serious shoulder injury.
It’s far from how Michael Morgan wanted to bow out but the North Queensland co-captain says premature retirement from the NRL was out of his control.
Morgan confirmed his immediate exit on Friday after the 29-year-old was finally convinced by doctors his chronic shoulder issue was a career-ending one.
The playmaker was confident after a strong preseason he’d put questions over the health of his shoulder aside, believing he had plenty more to give after four years of injury hell.
The hero of the Cowboys’ fairytale run to the 2017 grand final without Johnathan Thurston, Morgan was meant to assume the superstar’s throne not just in Townsville but for Queensland and Australia.
However injuries restricted him to just 39 NRL games in the three-and-half years since, stopping him from playing his best and returning the Cowboys to the finals.
“Once I got through the preseason … those sort of doubts about it had disappeared because of the work that I put in,” Morgan said.
“It was disappointing – I got it to a point where I was extremely confident and comfortable with it and unfortunately, it didn’t hold up.”
Debuting in 2010, Morgan played 168 NRL games, starring in North Queensland’s historic 2015 premiership.
The playmaker’s flick pass to set-up Kyle Feldt’s try to level the scores after the fulltime siren in the 2015 grand final will live long in the memories of Cowboys fans and rugby league folklore.
He is midway through a lucrative contract and is set to receive a multi-million dollar payout after the troublesome injury flared again after feeling a “massive crunch” in his shoulder during the Cowboys’ second-round clash against St George Illawarra.
Morgan revealed at the time it didn’t feel great and after several scans and meetings with specialists, it was time to hang up the boots.
“This is not the way I envisioned my career finishing, but I’m retiring knowing I gave myself every opportunity over the last 12 months for my shoulder to be strong enough to continue playing,” said Morgan, who played 12 times for Queensland and Australia.
“Unfortunately, the end result was out of my control.
“Even though I’m hanging up the boots at 29, I’m extremely proud of everything I achieved over the course of 12 seasons as an NRL player.”
Cowboys coach Todd Payten, who worked with Morgan both as an assistant and head coach, said his impact on the game and region was difficult to quantify.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Payten said.
“He’s born and raised, come through the junior system, played in the U20’s grand final, played in two grand finals here for the club … he’s the Cowboys through and through.
“He’s been the heart and soul of this place for a long … and he’s always welcome inside this building.”
Cowboys boss Jeff Reibel said his off-field impact had been just as crucial.
“His leadership around our club and his care for not only his teammates, but everyone at the Cowboys has been inspiring,” he said.
“His toughness and tenacity to be able to endure what he has over the last couple of seasons should be admired – he has looked under every last rock and has gone through a lot of pain to reach the point he has today.
“Michael Morgan will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever take the field for the North Queensland Cowboys.”
The Barry
Roar Guru
Shame to see a player go out this way - especially reading how much work he put in to get back out on the field It’s moments like these that make you realise how hard these guys push themselves physically and mentally for our entertainment Hope Morgan’s transition into life after football goes well
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Onya Morgs, thanks for 2015 & 2017. 12 test a and 12 Origins great stuff.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
I rate his year in ‘17 as being the pinnacle of his career. He was bloody good in ‘15 but in ‘17 he just lead from the front, played brilliantly, handled the pressure and the expectation effortlessly and always presented as being a good bloke and a good team man.
3 R M
Guest
Morgs what a big game player. he had the time to play nrl I realized it when he stepped inside Thurston then reached out late to take a pass and score in a game in 13 it looked better than it sounds . The multiple trys on many occasions against the Broncos. The play to win the gf for the cutters and cowboys The season at fullback he was soo very good .The spiral bombs of 17 .He was seriously on fire in the last half of that season . He was mismanaged by greeny by making him the only kicker and he paid in the end. He consistently racked up trys and assists untill injury hit him . He was ours from our city and system and played 12 tests for Australia well done Morgs.
Rob
Guest
Well I’d say without Morgan the Cowboys would never have won a GF. His absence through injuries certainly show what a player he was. JT, Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Cooper all discovered when in early 2018 when Moran succumb to succession of injuries and concussions. His career was just starting to really take off. Perhaps we were unlucky that me missed something truly special cut down unfortunately through injury. My top 6 Cowboys Bowen, Morgan, JT, Scott, Bowman
Rob
Guest
So sorry your career has ended Morgo. You gave me one of, if not the happiest moments of watching Rugby League when you laid on that try in the 2015 GF in the 80th min. You inspired us all and set off one hell of a Rugby League party. Every Cowboys player and fan will never forget that moment. Take care mate and I hope I can catch up with you and dad for a beer in the near future. You have done yourself, the family and everyone in the North proud over your career. I can only imagine how hard and emotional a decision this was for you. Look after yourself mate and you can look back on what was a wonderful career.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Sad end to a very, very good player. I'm glad I got to see him at his best. All the best for the future. That's two now and more to come this year I imagine, game is too hard and fast for some injuries to be able to go back into the fray.
R N
Roar Rookie
Yeah Jimmy, agree about Morgs being a game breaker. At his best even when playing with Thurston it was more often than not a Morgan play that actually got things rolling or broke a dead lock!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Comes down to 2 for number 5 Bowman and Morgs. MOrgs has 12 origins and 12 tests. Bowman has 12 origins and no Tests . Add a premiership plus 2017 plus he was a genuine game breaker and yes easily no 5 . ( I have a real soft spot for Payne but I can't make a case for him)
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It nearly killed me and I was on the winning side!!
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Easily in the top 5 you reckon? JT7, Matty Bowen and Matt Scott would be close to indisputable Top 3. JT13 will be in that group when it is all said and done. so that is 4. The you have Gavin Cooper, Paul Bowman, Josh Hannay, Matty Sing Aaron Payne - even Julian O'Neill had a decent run. Michael Morgan was a good player who had 2 really, really good runs in his career (2015 and 2017) and contributed to the biggest moment in the club history. But he played more than 20 games just 4 times in a 12 year career. He'll be up there, and maybe top 5, but easily?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
What more can I say about Michael Morgan than I have already said a thousand times. A legend of NQ football. The try in 2015, the run to the big one in 2017 where he almost single handedly carried us to another premiership and so many Origin memories. A great rugby league player and an allround good bloke. I will miss you Morgs and so will NQ footy.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well said kk. Morgs name is forever etched in the memory of those who live north of the tropical of Capricorn.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Easily in the top 5 greatest Cowboys in our history. Career cut way too short, but a career which he achieved everything a player would want to achieve... premiership, origin series win, World Cup win. That flick pass to Feldt in the 2015 grand final, one of the biggest plays in grand final history. Doesn’t get much better than that! Enjoy retirement Morgo!
Tic McGregor
Guest
I met him at a shopping centre once, he was sitting there with Gavin Cooper. I went up to him and said "I am a Broncos fan, that flick pass has haunted me for years" He gave a smile and said, "I've done pretty well out of it though." Was good to actually enjoy one of the flick passes a few years later for QLD!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
What a pity.. i always rated Morgan as one of the most naturally gifted players in the comp. his finals run in 2017 was unbelievable
Rellum
Roar Guru
Killed me with that flick pass in 2015. Killed me!!!! Very good player for NQ and QLD. Sorry end to a career
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Damn shame to have to retire early due to injury, but as he said, he's managed to carve out a career to be proud of - so, bittersweet. At least he'll be financially well set and at a young age, lots to be thankful for, good luck to him.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Won't forget the way Morgan carried the Cows on his back to the finals a few years ago. That was something to behold. He stood up when he was needed. It was right up there with Hayne's charge to the finals all those years ago.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Dang! Another of the good 'uns. Good luck Morgs - not too many have written themselves into grand final folklore but you're up there.