StephenP
ArnoldNRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - North QLD
February 27th 2008 23:20
North Queensland Cowboys
Attack – 8/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 6th
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 6th
Having retained the nucleus of the side that went within one game of making the premiership decider in 2007, the talent-laden North Queensland Cowboys will be striving to take that next step in 2008. Despite losing a host of players over the off season, the Cowboys have recruited extremely well. Former Bulldogs centre Ben Harris returns to the NRL to replace the retired Paul Bowman, and the halves pairing of ex-Manly pivot Travis Burns and Johnathan Thurston means that the Cowboys will have one of the most lethal halves combinations in the competition.
For mine, the only thing stopping the Cowboys from cementing a top four position, will be the unavailability of Thurston for at least the first month of the premiership. North Queensland are notorious for bursting out of the blocks at the start of each year, but without the world’s best half steering them around, the Cowboys could well be behind the pack cum Round 6 (Thurston’s expected return).
Strengths-
The Cowboys seemingly possess talent in every position, and it would be a real shock to see them miss the top four. North Queensland have speed to burn in the outside backs, a creative set of halves, bullocking props and workaholic backrowers – they are pretty much a coaches dream.
Coach Murray has the side playing an exciting brand of expansive, attacking football, with the Cowboys possessing the lethal ability of being able to produce a try from anywhere on the paddock. The stifling weather conditions of Dairy Farmers Stadium is yet another major advantage for the Cowboys, with visiting rivals often struggling to overpower the acclimatised home team.
Weaknesses-
The brilliance of the Cowboys attacking arsenal of 2007 overshadowed their defensive deficiencies, with coach Murray’s men finishing the season as the 13th worst defensive unit. Admittedly injuries to key forwards contributed to the North Queenslanders defensive communication, but seven of the Cowboys ten season losses were against fellow semi-finalists. The Cowboys will need to improve their defence if they hope to compete against the top sides.
Best Team-
1- Matt Bowen
2- Ty Williams
3- Ashley Graham
4- Ben Harris
5- Ben Farrar
6- Travis Burns
7- Johnathan Thurston
8- Shane Tronc
9- Aaron Payne
10- Carl Webb
11- Steve Southern
12- Sione Faumuina
13- Luke O’Donnell
14- David Faiumu
15- Jacob Lillyman
16- Ray Cashmere
17– Matthew Scott
Trial Matches-
16/02/08 v Brisbane Broncos @ Browne Park, Rockhampton
23/02/08 v Gold Coast Titans @ Barlow Park, Cairns
01/03/0/8 v Canberra Raiders @ Brothers RL Club, Mackay
2008 Gains and Losses –
Gains –
Travis Burns (Manly), John Williams (Sydney Roosters), Ben Harris (Bradford), Dayne Weston and Anthony Watts (Cronulla), Anthony Perkins (Melbourne)
Losses –
Paul Bowman, Scott Minto and Jason Smith (retired), Brenton Bowen (Gold Coast), Justin Smith (released), Shane Muspratt (QLD Cup), Neil Sweeney (Macquarie, Newcastle)
*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Parramatta Eels 2008 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
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