https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-legend-dale-shearer-identifies-mindset-not-skill-to-guide-young-guns/news-story/048d080354367d3a906a4346134d06be
NERVES are going to be inevitable for a young debutant, but Dale Shearer believes harnessing them is the key to making an impact from the first whistle. For a third straight week the Cowboys will award a rising star with a maiden appearance, as winger Connelly Lemuelu follows Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert in starting their NRL journeys. Tabuai-Fidow’s rise has in particular been met with anticipation after his stunning showcase of speed and skill at the Perth Nines. While he began on the win against the New Zealand Warriors, he impressed in his move to fullback when Valentine Holmes limped from the field and will assume the No.1 jersey against Wests Tigers. There are parallels between Shearer, who finished his career in North Queensland, and the tearaway known as The Hammer. Both made their professional debuts as teenagers, both blessed with searing pace. But Shearer, a Queensland Origin legend, said it would be more than speed that gets Tabuai-Fidow and co. up and running. It was a confidence factor, and comfort in the knowledge they had made it to the team — age was now irrelevant.
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https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/its-on-us-new-cowboys-skipper-jason-taumalolo-deflects-coach-pressure-to-the-players/news-story/5ac2d13c85398f3f1cce1fdb0001a0bf
THE buck does not stop with Paul Green, it is up to the North Queensland playing group to get the job done. That is the opinion of Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo, who has put the onus on the team to bounce back ahead of his first game captaining the club. With Michael Morgan and Jordan McLean sidelined with injuries, the Tongan skipper and victorious Perth Nines leader will have the ‘c’ next to his name for the first time at NRL level, however he does not expect his game to change. While he described the chance to lead the team as “a huge honour”, Taumalolo said the job easily could have gone to Josh McGuire or Gavin Cooper so it would ultimately be his actions on the field that led and, hopefully, inspired his teammates. And it is through his performance he hopes the rest of the side can rally around and deflect the external pressure on his coach after disappointing back-to-back losses. The only way to do that was to “win at all costs”. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/no-kicking-stones-key-to-clifford-masterclass-with-the-boot/news-story/ae158f473495ee1953c0193f4799b84f
THERE is an opportunity for Jake Clifford to prove he is not just a Michael Morgan replacement — he is out to show he is a must-pick each week. The 22-year-old Cowboy took the reins in the No. 7 jumper against the Gold Coast Titans, putting on a clinic with the boot to highlight his ability to control the game. It was his combination with Scott Drinkwater, and the manner in which they combined, that was cause for excitement. As much of a loss as Morgan is as both a leader and attacking threat, the signs were there that North Queensland were in good hands. Clifford overcame his initial disappointment at not being picked in the starting 17 when the pre-season ended. He did not kick stones, he got to work. And now he says the challenge is on to consistently deliver what he did on Friday night and continue to lead the team around the park. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/rival-mates-to-bring-out-the-best-in-north-queensland-cowboys-thoroughbred/news-story/a51b1c5b55214ce811cdbeee1ced1467
THE opportunity to take on his mates is one Coen Hess is relishing. In fact he expects it to bring out the best of him against the Gold Coast Titans. His North Queensland teammates have labelled him ‘the thoroughbred’ — a nickname led by stand-in captain Jordan McLean — for the way in which he has continued to tone his imposing figure. But all the work he has put in since the off-season began, and continued throughout rugby league’s coronavirus-enforced hiatus, will be for nothing if he does not use it to his benefit on the field. For now, however, Hess is simply letting his new title roll off his back. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/how-rugby-leagues-hiatus-gave-a-cowboys-star-a-profound-appreciation/news-story/79f2a514b134d2fa8f2fb20ab6a8c807
TIME off the field has enlightened Francis Molo. The Cowboys prop admits that prior to the coronavirus pandemic he could be guilty of taking the little things for granted. Not anymore. Typically at this time of year Molo is scattered across the country. Throughout the week, he is constantly heading back and forward from Cowboys HQ. Having had the opportunity to be with his family when he normally would not, those insights have given him a profound appreciation. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/the-promising-signs-cowboys-winger-sees-in-a-blossoming-combination/news-story/eb8fd09ea60c24007510d0cdf2b468f8
KEY to any backline dominating opposition teams is relationships. The better the team gels in rugby league the greater the results. With the North Queensland Cowboys side brimming with new combinations, it was always going to take time for those relationships to build on the field. But as coronavirus reared its ugly head, the chance to sync in game situations was taken away. In spite of that, Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt believes the unity in the group will shine through when the NRL returns on May 28. The 28-year-old was two games into his fresh combination with recruit Esan Marsters, who was brought in from Wests Tigers to strengthen the centres. A sign of a strong centre-wing pairing is their ability to communicate and defend well together, and Feldt said there were promising indicators in the infancy of their partnership. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/why-cowboys-winger-kyle-feldt-believes-this-will-be-the-best-origin-yet/news-story/cb0a7211c794111229194bcc69d3b451
KYLE Feldt believes this year’s State of Origin series could produce the best showcase fans have seen. And he desperately wants to be a part of it. The Cowboys winger has been on the verge of Queensland selection for a number of years, so close he was 19th man for the Maroons in 2018. But with rugby league’s greatest rivalry set to take place after the regular season, Feldt said he would have the chance to ride a wave of momentum when coach Kevin Walters goes to the selection table. As for the series on a whole he said those selected would be far fresher and in full flight without the burden of playing multiple, high intensity matches in a matter of days. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/could-rugby-leagues-international-growth-come-out-of-coronavirus/news-story/200d2ec1834428e28247bbe75f2ade0e
CONTROVERSY and debate has followed the NRL ever since the competition launched its audacious bid for the season to resume. But out of the harrowing coronavirus chapter that has plagued 2020, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter for the code the closer it gets to May 28. As one of the first professional sports to return to play, rugby league could have a window to exploit in which it can tap into overseas markets previously untouched. North Queensland Cowboys football director Peter Parr said rugby league and its clubs had to think positively and find opportunities out of what has been a poor situation for the whole world. While he alluded to the success of Tonga and its growing international presence prior to the pandemic, he said such a venture into untapped markets would take time to harness. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-football-director-says-they-will-keep-up-the-fight-to-remain-in-townsville/news-story/162861a0b6181afa4d46e633e49394ce
WHILE galvanised by the mentality of the Cowboys playing group, Peter Parr says the priority remains making a stay in Townsville a reality. As the NRL’s plans for a May 28 resumption go into overdrive, a strong possibility is the relocation of clubs outside of New South Wales to the state and the competition played there until the coronavirus pandemic eases. Much of this relies on border restrictions and the Queensland government’s willingness to allow for frequent travel either side of the Tweed. Parr, the North Queensland club’s football director, said challenges would arise regardless of which measures were taken — such is the moving nature of the health crisis. Among those included the separation of players from their families for what would, at this stage, be an undetermined length of time. But while he said the playing group were generally positive and determined to make the move if it means the game goes ahead, the core focus was to get to a point where that would not be necessary. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-playing-group-prepared-to-make-nrl-sacrifice/news-story/98d8c07ebd874b2446d1d8482a0a070e
COWBOYS coach Paul Green says he has been galvanised by the mindset of his playing group, as the team prepares to make further sacrifices to get back on the park this season. The consensus at the Cowboys, according to Green, is that the team is willing to relocate to New South Wales if it means getting the NRL up and running once again. On Wednesday, ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce confirmed the competition would resume on May 28. While the format is yet to be confirmed, it is understood the 16 clubs will play south of the Tweed and force teams in Queensland, Melbourne, Canberra and New Zealand to base themselves there. Given the unprecedented and ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, Green said it would be completely understandable if some of his players did not feel they could move from their families for an undetermined length of time. But thus far there had been no push back. |
AuthorThis section showcases a collection of some of the work I did covering the North Queensland Cowboys - from match reports, to player features to breaking news. Archives
June 2020
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