Warrick Nicolson | 07/02/08
STATE OF PLAY
A season-ending injury to star backrower Luke O’Donnell cast a shadow over North Queensland’s premiership chances just four rounds into 2007, but the team recovered in the second half of the year to come within one game of the Grand Final.
Superstars Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen carried the team into the finals and there is no reason to think they can’t do the same again in 2008.
Last 3 Finishes:
2005: 2nd
2006: 9th
2007: 3rd
ROSTER ROUND-UP
The Cowboys have made the final four in three of the past four seasons and the additions (including players returning from injury/suspension) far outweigh the subtractions from last year’s playoff squad.
In come O’Donnell, Carl Webb, Shane Tronc, Ben Harris, Sione Faumuina and Travis Burns at the expense of the retiring Paul Bowman and Jason Smith. Adding quality like that to the Thurston-Bowen foundation boosts the Cowboys’ premiership credentials significantly.
Clearly Thurston is the straw that stirs the drink in Townsville and pre-season drunken incident aside; he is the leader of this team.
If he’s not ready to go for Round 1 following shoulder surgery his potential combination with Burns at the scrumbase may take longer to gel than Coach Graham Murray is hoping.
Although the Cowboys lack a standout attacking three-quarter, they are well stocked with solid performers with the likes of Harris, Ashley Graham, Ty Williams, Ben Farrar, Mark Henry and new recruit John Williams on the books.
Plus, having a brilliant fullback in Bowen running around beside you can make any player look better. Young winger Obe Geia might find himself in the team early on if Murray wants to introduce some breakaway speed to the flanks.
With O’Donnell, Tronc and Webb back in the line-up the forward unit is the best the Cowboys have fielded since they reached the 2005 decider.
Aaron Payne couldn’t replicate his excellent 2006 break-out season but with a full complement of big men to work with – he will bounce back.
Ray Cashmere should build on his superb second half in 2007 alongside Origin representatives Matt Scott, Jacob Lillyman and the enigmatic Kiwi Test player Sione Faumuina.
The rest of the roster is filled with predominately young players who all got a sniff of First Grade during last season’s playoff run.
Sam Faust, Ben Vaeau, Matt Bartlett and Scott Bolton fit into that category, while veteran Justin Smith and David Faiumu will serve important backup roles again in 2008.
STRONGEST LINE-UP
1. BOWEN, Matt
2. WILLIAMS, Ty
3. HARRIS, Ben
4. GRAHAM, Ashley
5. FARRAR, Ben
6. BURNS, Travis
7. THURSTON, Johnathan
8. TRONC, Shane
9. PAYNE, Aaron
10. SCOTT, Matt
11. WEBB, Carl
12. SOUTHERN, Steven
13. O’DONNELL, Luke
14. FAUMUINA, Sione
15. CASHMERE, Ray
16. LILLYMAN, Jacob
17. FAIUMU, David
FEARLESS FORECAST
The Cowboys have an impressive collection of depth and talent up front which should give Thurston and Bowen even greater time and space to weave their magic on defensive lines in 2008.
At full strength the Cowboys look to be a sure-fire Top 4 team and if the troops are all healthy come playoff time – North Queensland are the best bet to knock off the Storm for the premiership.
PREDICTED RECORD: 15-9
PREDICTED FINISH: Premiers
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