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.
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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. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-fringe-forward-tom-gilbert-says-the-covid19-phase-will-only-strengthen-his-resolve/news-story/f784806b864068b77848fe3b0b2c06fe
A SHORTENED season may limit Tom Gilbert’s chances of making his NRL debut, but that opportunity is still very much his focus for 2020. It is something he dreamt about as a kid and the vision has grown with him throughout his time in Townsville. Should that not transpire this year, the coronavirus pandemic will not be an excuse he goes to. Many rugby league judges had pencilled in the barnstorming 19-year-old for a first-grade berth this year with the North Queensland Cowboys. Should the NRL return on May 28, as has been floated, teams will have fewer rounds to blood players into the top level. They will need to hit the ground running. But rather than shy away from the challenge and write the year off, Gilbert said these tough times were an opportunity for him to show Cowboys coach Paul Green and the rest of his staff what he is made of. If he cannot just maintain the work he put in throughout the pre-season but better himself, that will only heighten his standing with the Cowboys setup. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/off-contract-cowboy-mitch-dunn-is-focusing-on-the-present-not-the-future/news-story/48cba9701e9d86315edc573896e8c9d9
THERE will be limited opportunities for Mitch Dunn to press his case for a new NRL contract. But he says he cannot focus on that, it is out of his control. All he can do now is ensure he uses this period to demonstrate his worth. Whether or not the competition resumes on May 28 or at a later time, the reality is a shortened season will provide fewer chances for off contract players to stake a claim to a club’s top squad. “I know some who are in the same boat where we’re not sure what will happen at the end of the year,” Dunn said. “(But) I haven’t given it too much thought because it’s out of my control in a way. “It’s a bit of an unknown what will happen with all that. I like to think (I have the runs on the board) but you never know, there always has to be room for young players coming through so you never know what the go is. “I guess that’s why you use your time now to prepare as best you can, if it’s going to be limited like that the best chance to get re-signed is if you’re playing.” https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/exhausted-before-he-trains-cowboys-centre-justin-oneill-is-taking-the-pandemic-in-his-stride/news-story/3566eefc6e8f026308c6fe1540f77932
BY the time Justin O’Neill is able to start his training for the day he is already exhausted. In years past he would have been on the go — constantly at Cowboys HQ or on the road to his next NRL clash. But now the coronavirus pandemic has forced the North Queensland centre to stay at home, where his two daughters — Kasia and Giselle — work him ragged until they drop. However, in spite of being deprived of rugby league, the veteran of 171 NRL games is loving the challenge. And the feeling is mutual among his youngsters. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/inaugural-cowboys-captain-laurie-spina-says-sacrifices-and-passion-will-guide-the-club-through-covid19/news-story/c6e0dfd805ab0ff8f774f2c7ff5c8d61
THIS is not the first time rugby league in North Queensland has fought to survive. And inaugural Cowboys captain Laurie Spina believes the experience of building a club from the ground up can be implemented to get through these trying times. The coronavirus pandemic has shrouded rugby league in uncertainty. But the North Queensland legend knows that from the ashes stability can be restored — with perhaps an even more grateful and passionate foundation to follow. While financial burdens have resulted in mass staff and pay cuts across all levels of rugby league, Spina said in the early days of the Cowboys it was not a matter of income that kept the team surging forward. It was the support, resilience and mentality of the fans in the north. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/former-cowboys-says-nrl-return-date-a-boost-for-player-wellbeing/news-story/741035a86776364cbb67012cf52befb8
A RETURN date of May 28 may be seen as an optimistic idea for the NRL, but Ashton Sims believes some symbol of certainty will work wonders for the players’ wellbeing. The former Cowboys prop dealt with all the highs and lows throughout a 16 year playing career, and knew goal setting was crucial to keeping him on track. From speaking with his brothers, St. George-Illawarra Dragons duo Tariq and Korbin, the 35-year-old has already noted the change in persona a resumption date has had on the competition’s player-base. But he said the way this isolating period away from the game was handled would differ for each individual. The way to get through it was doing everything in their power to be the best version of themselves. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/corey-jensens-off-field-edge-could-be-his-ticket-into-the-starting-17/news-story/34de428c6b3f99d1dfd5764c3861bc5e
A BACKGROUND in sport science could be the edge Corey Jensen needs to make an impact upon the NRL’s resumption. There is a calm head on the Cowboy's shoulders, one that has armed him with a degree in sport science as he continues studying towards teaching qualifications. That diverse range of intellect could be his ticket to a regular spot in the North Queensland starting 17. Since his debut for the Cowboys in 2017 the 26-year-old forward has been in and out of the side. He forced his way onto the bench in round one this year, but the returning Josh McGuire relegated him to 18th man duties. Now that every player is in the same boat Jensen said how players used the period of uncertainty coronavirus had created would be crucial should the competition relaunch in 2020. While he admits his qualifications in sport science may benefit his ability to maintain fitness long-term, ultimately each professional athlete worthy of the title would have the same know how. |
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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