3 minute read
A new stadium couldn't have arrived at a better time for a North Queensland side, now armed with Valentine Holmes, eager to wipe aside a miserable 2019.
Twelve months ago most of Townsville was underwater, North Queensland had just sacked their marquee signing and Valentine Holmes was living in New York trying to kick-start an NFL career.
Just days after Ben Barba was booted from the club, Cowboys players took to their tinnies to help teammates and neighbours evacuate Townsville's worst floods on record.
Star forward Jason Taumalolo then missed a bulk of the early season with a knee injury, Te Maire Martin suffered a bleed on the brain and Matt Scott a stroke - both incidents eventually leading to their rugby league retirements.
The 2015 premiers finished third-last with a 9-15 record to follow a 2018 season that yielded just eight wins.
It was a sobering, luckless campaign to follow a memorable run to the 2017 grand final, especially for a side that had won the premiership in 2015 and was hoping to send Johnathan Thurston out a winner in his rugby league farewell.
But, fast forward to February 2020 and fullback Holmes is settled in the city he grew up in, the Cowboys have a sparkling new stadium to call their own and the city is buzzing.
"Luckily a lot can change in a year; we definitely needed it (positive change) and we've got it," captain Michael Morgan told AAP.
"A couple of recruitments last year didn't go to plan and you compare this to last it's been smooth sailing, which wasn't too hard to beat.
"It's (a new stadium) perfect timing; a changeover period for us nearly, a new fresh start for us there."
There is optimism though after the side's NRL Nines triumph, Holmes' seamless transition and Morgan's faith in the club's next generation.
"He's got very good football instinct and look at the way he was playing before he left, how he could find a break or a try," Morgan said of what Holmes would bring.
"He was probably playing his best football just before he left and we will benefit from the way he turns those half chances into chances.
"He's always around the footy looking for an opportunity."
Bumped from his initial spot at fullback, Scott Drinkwater will joust with Jake Clifford for a spot in the halves alongside Morgan.
Coen Hess has slimmed down and Reece Robson will push Jake Granville for minutes at hooker.
Even lightning-fast development player Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made waves at the Nines and will be eyeing a chance once eligible to play after July 1.
Esan Marsters should give the Cowboys extra punch in the centres, but where utility Ben Hampton fits into coach Paul Green's plans is another head-scratcher that will create healthy backline competition this year.
"Val coming here was a spanner in the works for Drinky initially, but a blessing now," Morgan said of the battle to play No.6.
"We want to nail down who will be there, but we know things change and we have some backup if anything happens."
Scott and fellow retiree Scott Bolton leave gaps to match their frames in the front row.
But in Jordan McLean and Josh McGuire there is plenty still in the tank.
"They (Scott and Bolton) were big personalities," Morgan said.
"But it makes me think how good our younger guys have been, because the standard in the pre-season hasn't slipped since they've gone."
Brisbane will visit for the first game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on March 13 and Morgan knows how much a good start at their new home would mean to Townsville.
"With the stadium, it's been such a build up and everyone is just kind of waiting around now," Morgan said.
"It is crazy to think the influence we can have on the whole community; it can make or break peoples' weeks.
"When we're going well the studies done show that people spend more money, they're more excited and happier.
"So yeah, only a little bit of pressure."
NORTH QUEENSLAND
Finishes over the past three seasons: 2019 - 14th, 2018 - 13th, 2017 - 7th
Coach: Paul Green
Captain: Michael Morgan
Key gains: Valentine Holmes (New York Jets), Reece Robson (Dragons) Esan Marsters (Tigers).
Key losses: Matt Scott (retired), Scott Bolton (retired).
Best team: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Tom Opacic, 5 Ben Hampton, 6 Scott Drinkwater, 7 Michael Morgan, 8 Jordan McLean, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Josh McGuire, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo, 14. Reece Robson, 15 Francis Molo, 16 John Asiata, 17 Shane Wright
Predicted finish: 10th
