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.
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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. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/josh-mcguire-has-been-moved-by-the-growth-of-his-fellow-aspley-devils-junior/news-story/a0ae1e899a0523b8020d895795428aca
THE “whirlwind” ride for Francis Molo is only just beginning. From a Brisbane Bronco with high hopes, to a football player in limbo, to a staple in the North Queensland Cowboys line up. It is a journey Josh McGuire has watched intently, and now proudly, since the pair’s days at Aspley Devils. The State of Origin forward knew the 10-year-old Molo who played alongside the former’s brother. They found themselves playing alongside each other at the Broncos, and now form an important one-two punch in the Cowboys line up. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/work-does-not-stop-for-the-transformed-coen-hess/news-story/e15a3455c2134122698ed96a891a59c6
THE enormity of how the coronavirus pandemic has decimated sporting codes has not really sunk in for Coen Hess. But having put in such determined training efforts at Cowboys HQ, he and his teammates are not about to let the hard work go to waste. Hess has cut an imposing figure courtesy of his offseason efforts. However, with gyms closed under the health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, he has had to turn to other avenues to maintain the physique, strength and fitness he gained. Fortunately, the 23-year-old did not have far to travel. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/the-nrls-suspension-has-claimed-more-than-50-cowboys-positions/news-story/b68c359cf8c788e3b4afc1804fdb07e6
IT WAS with a heavy heart that North Queensland Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay announced the widespread standing down of club staff. But from this harrowing chapter in the rugby league’s history came a powerful message: “We will survive.” In response to the NRL’s decision to suspend the 2020 season, more than 50 Cowboys staff members were stood down from their roles with a skeleton staff retain to handle administrative duties. It has meant the majority of the club’s administrative team and football department — including coach Paul Green and director of football Peter Parr — are without roles for the foreseeable future. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-coach-paul-green-says-this-too-shall-pass-in-the-face-of-a-mass-staff-clean-out/news-story/99da271bb1a8984c1e9662f1f0531e70
THERE is a saying Paul Green believes is paramount to remember at this time – “this too shall pass”. While rugby league’s future continues to be shrouded in mystery amid the coronavirus crisis that has crippled sport across the globe, the Cowboys coach said now was the time to stand strong with this message. Green’s own tenure with the club at this point is up in the air following the NRL’s suspension of the 2020 season. But he said he would keep preparing himself and his players so that when the day comes they can take the field they will be ready. |
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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