Cowboys could shop for a prop

Cowboys could shop for a prop

By Damien Stannard

February 03, 2007 11:00pm
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

THE North Queensland Cowboys have no plans to recruit a replacement for retired prop Robert Tanielu.

But coach Graham Murray has left the door slightly ajar should a suitable forward become available.

"We're hoping we'll come through OK but at the same time we're wondering whether we might have to bolster our strength at some stage," the veteran NRL coach said.

"I'm comfortable with the depth we have. That's not to say we wouldn't (recruit another player) if the right person became available."

The Cowboys lost one of their more promising forwards last month when Tanielu, 24, announced his retirement.

A former Broncos and Storm front-rower, Tanielu last year suffered the second major back injury of his career in a collision with Brisbane's Scott Minto.

He had been training during the off-season with the club's rehabilitation group but was forced to retire after accepting advice from medical specialists.

Still adjusting to life without former pack leader Paul Rauhihi, the Cowboys' engine room is far from settled.

Mitchell Sargent's sacking last season for drug use opened another hole in the Cowboys' front row.

Shane Tronc, who recently turned 25, and Carl Webb, also 25, are the most experienced of the front-row options.

Ray Cashmere had his first taste of NRL last season, with Murray saying the 115kg giant did everything asked of him.

After bursting on to the representative scene last year Matt Scott is one of the forwards Murray is hoping will provide leadership.

"I think Matt is one of the best in the business at the moment," Murray said of the 21-year-old.

"I think there's a hell of a footballer in there."

Scott made his Origin debut in the second row for Queensland last year but was dropped after a tentative performance in Game 1.

Mirroring the Cowboys' fortunes, Scott's form cooled off late in the year.

"The second haf of last season probably wasn't as good as my start," Scott said.

"It's a pretty long season -- my first full season -- and I was adjusting to the pace of the game."

Cowboys have Ray Cashmere, Matthew Scott and Shane Tronc who can cover that role nicely.Plus they dont need to buy any props since they can always promote from the Young Guns.

As good as Scott and Cashmere will be in the future, we still need someone to back up Tronc on the front row right now! Webb should be kept in the 2nd row, he is better there! Matthew Scott IS a great player and all, and has a very promising future, and could do the job fine, but I still feel another experienced front rower would be very beneficial to our pack. After Losing Rauhihi last year, and now Tanielu and Seargent, I think our pack won't be as strong.

this is how I would like the foward pack and bench to look like this year

8. Matthew Scott or Ray Cashmere (depending on form)
9. Aaron Payne
10. Shane Tronc
11. Steve Southern
12. Carl Webb
13. Luke O'Donnell
(I think that gives us a fair bit of experience in the starting pack)

14. Jackson Nicauli (spelling :dizzy: )
15. Rod jensen
16. David Faiumu
17. Jacob Lillyman

Sweeney to come in to replace Injuries.

As I said I think they should look to Young Guns instead of using money which could be better used.

My full Cowboys team would look something like this:

1. Bowen, M
2. Williams, T
3. Nicolau, J
4. Bowman, P
5. Bowen, B
6. Smith, Ja
7. Thurston, J
8. Webb, C
9. Payne, A
10. Tronc, S
11. Faumuina, S
12. Smith, Ju
13. O'Donnell, L
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Jensen, R
15. Faiumu, D
16. Lillyman, J
17. Scott, M
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Southern, S
19. Cashmere, R
20. Henry, M
21. Sweeny, N
22. Payne, B
23. Bolton, S
24. Graham, A
25. Lowe, B

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy

As I said I think they should look to Young Guns instead of using money which could be better used.

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Better used where though? The Nth. Qld backline is pretty impressive with names like Bowen, Williams, Bowman, Smith and Thurston. But it could suffer without a decent forward pack laying the foundation for Smith and Thurston work off of. I reckon just 1 more prop of note to parter Tronc the Cowboys would be a fair decent force. I also agree with Robbie about keeping Webb in the second row.

Giving young guys in lower grades a go is and should be the way to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Capital_Shark

The Nth. Qld backline is pretty impressive with names like Bowen, Williams, Bowman, Smith and Thurston. But it could suffer without a decent forward pack laying the foundation for Smith and Thurston work off of. I reckon just 1 more prop of note to parter Tronc the Cowboys would be a fair decent force.

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That's exactly what I was trying to say!!! Just 1 more Experienced Prop would make the world of difference I reckon! That's partly the reason why we were so dominant in the 2005 and made the Grand Final, we had Rauhihi AND Tronc. We miss Rauihi :cry:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robbie_Dee

That's exactly what I was trying to say!!! Just 1 more Experienced Prop would make the world of difference I reckon! That's partly the reason why we were so dominant in the 2005 and made the Grand Final, we had Rauhihi AND Tronc. We miss Rauihi :cry:

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Oh you mean experienced. Sorry my bad :lol!:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy

Giving young guys in lower grades a go is and should be the way to go.

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I couldn't agree more. But if there isn't a young fella whose ready for the responsibility of leading a team from the front in the NRL comp, you've gotta source a suitable player from somewhere else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cowboys_Rabbit_Fan

My full Cowboys team would look something like this:

1. Bowen, M
2. Williams, T
3. Nicolau, J
4. Bowman, P
5. Bowen, B
6. Smith, Ja
7. Thurston, J
8. Webb, C
9. Payne, A
10. Tronc, S
11. Faumuina, S
12. 12. Smith, Ju
13. O'Donnell, L
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Jensen, R
15. Faiumu, D
16. Lillyman, J
17. Scott, M
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Southern, S
19. Cashmere, R
20. Henry, M
21. Sweeny, N
22. Payne, B
23. Bolton, S
24. Graham, A
25. Lowe, B

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Cashmere not even in the 17? :dead: He is so underrated. He always goes out and does the job. He should definitely be in the starting 17.

Brenton Bowen should not be a FG winger IMO. Graham is much better tbh.

I'm not bagging your team or anything, thats just my opinion:p

My Side (Full Strength ex. Injuries)

01. M Bowen
02. T Williams
03. M Henry
04. P Bowman
05. A Graham
06. J Smith
07. J Thurston
08. R Cashmere
09. A Payne C
10. S Tronc
11. J Smith
12. S Bolton
13. L O'Donnell
________________

14. D Faiumu
15. R Jenson
16. C Webb
17. J Lillyman
________________

18. S Faumuina
19. J Nicolau
20. S Southern
21. J Frizzo
22. N Sweeney
23. B Payne

ETC.


With Williams out for sometime (Apparently a couple of rounds) I think Murray will throw in Minto *shudders* Hopefully Henry is pushed to the wing and possibly either Frizzo or Nicolau to centre. Or even Sweeney. Just as long as Minto and/or B Bowen arn't there, I will be happy:p Lol.

With Faiumu (who I think is still out with injury - I might be wrong though), someone like Nicolau or Brady Payne would be a good replacement.

Brenton Bowen is a very fine winger. He combines great with Matt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poida

Brenton Bowen is a very fine winger. He combines great with Matt.

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I disagree. He may have speed, but he lacks skill with the ball IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gonzalez

I disagree. He may have speed, but he lacks skill with the ball IMO.

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Yeah I see what you mean. Ashley Graham I didnt see a lot of and I like him now I had.
I agree he has proven himself a good first grader up in North Queensland.
In saying that Brenton Bowen is very underated.