OFFICIAL Cowboys 2010 Thread

[StinkyPete]

alright thurston said he'd tell us whats going on after the four nations......no word yet. staying or not I'd like to know now.

 

[elyod138]

alright thurston said he'd tell us whats going on after the four nations......no word yet. staying or not I'd like to know now.

I thought he said he would start to think about it after the Four Nations.

 

[Talanexor]

You've gotta give the guy some credit. He's the world's best player in the most important position. He's gotta decide whether he's staying in Australia, whether he's even staying in league and if the price is right.

I'm sure we could match any other NRL club's offer - especially with the cash freed up by Burns' departure - but it's a fact that both ESL and Yawnion are going to throw a LOT more cash his way.

Then again, he'd get bored playing union and he'd hate the cold climate in England. And seriously, he's got a good chance of captaining the Cowboys to their first ever premiership. Not too many people can say they've done that for their club. Especially Sharks captains lol.

Give him some time to think it over, but yeah, we can't wait until the last gasp like we did with Humble. That would be a huge mistake.

 

[StinkyPete]

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au...991_sport.html

Graham back training ahead of schedule

JOSH ALSTON

December 3rd, 2009

Ashley Graham

A FULLY fit Ashley Graham is back in training for the Cowboys and looking to put his troublesome foot injury behind him.

The centre was plagued with problems in his foot this season, picking up a lisfranc tear which cost him seven games in the back half of the year.

The injury - which involves a tear in the ligament that connects the metatarsal and the tarsal bones - proved extremely difficult to manage and it was earlier expected that Graham would be on a modified program until Christmas.

He has made a quicker then expected comeback though and has been on the training paddock in a full capacity for the past two weeks.

''It's coming along really well, I'm pretty much back into full training now,'' Graham said.

''I didn't really expect to be doing that until close to Christmas but I've been doing everything for the last two weeks so it's going really well.''

Graham said the troublesome injury that he picked up against the Roosters in round 15 was a frustrating experience, with numerous attempts at getting back on the field resulting in a flare-up. But he said the ligament was back to 100 per cent and he was looking forward to continuing his progress at training in the coming weeks.

''Frustrating is one way of putting it, it's a difficult injury but at the moment it's feeling pretty good and fingers crossed it's only getting better,'' he said.

It's not only Graham who is ahead of schedule, with the 25-year-old describing this year's pre-season as well advanced compared to the same stage last year.

''Most of the boys are going really well compared to this time last year, even with all the cardio targets and skin folds the boys have come a long way,'' he said.

''It's shaping up to put us ahead of where we started last year which is what we need.''

A host of new faces have been training this year as well, many of which loom as genuine options in the Cowboys backline.

Will Tupou and Shannon Gallant have been training well and two-game up-and-comers Don Malone and Obe Geia are also well in the mix.

Graham said competition was hot for spots in the backline and said everyone was putting their best foot forward to claim a place for the round one clash against the Broncos in Brisbane in March.

''We've definitely got a lot of depth in the backline this year,'' he said.

''The guys are all putting in their best at training this year so it's shaping up to be a pretty good pre-season.''







He'll be fit for round 1

 

[Charlie124]

Hey, if he re-gains the form of 2007 im more than happy to let him cement his spot, he was outstanding, but two dissapointing seasons (for the club, not just Graham) have not helped his cause.

I dont like dumping players just for the sake of it, if he cant re-gain that form however, he needs to be given the boot.

 

[Talanexor]

When you watch the matches from 2007 you actually notice that his defence isn't that bad. He'll never be the best defender in the world, but he didn't let those glaring holes open up like he has in 2008 and 2009.

If he can fix his defence, at least to a level where the team is confident he'll be in the right place to make the tackle, then I don't have an issue with him. He's certainly got speed to burn, and knows how to find the try line.

BUT - his days at centre are over. He's like Brent Tate, he doesn't know how to pass to his outside man. Which shortens the attack to 12 players, not 13. Stick him on the wing, or stick him in QLD Cup.

 

[Asedenburns]

quick someone run over his foot

 

[Shorty]

Ash is definitely a winger, I think putting him at wing with maybe Malone at center could work.

 

[Big Pete]

Ash is a terrible winger. His positioning is woeful and he's very easy to exploit because he's terrible under the high ball.

 

[Talanexor]

Ash is a terrible winger. His positioning is woeful and he's very easy to exploit because he's terrible under the high ball.

It seems he has a LOT to work on over the offseason if he wants to keep his spot in the first grade team next year then.

Lets see, he needs to learn how to:

• Catch
• Pass
• Tackle
• Position himself in attack and defence

Maybe we need to send him back to u12s to make sure he's got all the basics down before we throw him into first grade again.

 

[beave]

he is a $hit winger, he is terrible under the high and rolling ball. It's centre or nothing for mine..........(preferably nothing)

 

[The Pain Game]

There are a few ways the Cowboys can return to form, but most depends on JT re-signing because the chaos of him leaving will affect his game and debate over the captaincy will hurt us either way.

First is first, the Cowboys are weak on the wing, in one centre position, 5/8 and a prop or two. Luckily we have Shannon Gallant as an option to cover for or move Bowen closer to the action and stats tell you fullbacks win games. I think having Gallant and Bowen on either side of the ruck will add more attack to us!

On the wing, the Cowboys need to make hard decisions early. Blooding a Geia or Boor now is better than a few rounds before the finals. Donald Malone will probably have his claims after the end of last season, and John Williams is probably the best winger at the club (yet I do not rate him as great or anything despite trying). If Ty Williams does not show glimpses of speed and consistency, then it is time to move him on (and he used to be my favourite player alongside both Mattys).

Centre? Ashley Graham has been unlucky. Moving positions in 2008 would have affected his training and last year, he was always injured and brought back early. I would like to see him add some more size to help his defence, but I will give him some benefit in attack because specified factors hurt him in 2009. I would like to see what Tupou has to offer and I would not pick LOD because despite depth, we do not neccessarily have 'great' back-row depth. In two years, we will have the best back-row, but some of those kids are just not mature or fully grown yet.

5/8, happy to hear that Ray Thompson will be picked unless we are conservative and pick Watts (who should be better now out of hooker). He is a secret in league because he missed a large part of the 20s year, and whilst I thought he would make a great hooker, many believe he is best in the halves.

Prop? Matt Scott is the only good prob we have! Tamou is too small and the minutes will be tough (only 21). Kafusi makes no impact running as he is too slow. Carl Webb has just lot a fair bit of size for boxing and needs to be more consistent. I am concerned about this position.

As for the rest, I believe intimidation is one thing we need. Right now, we are being played like it is test cricket. Teams know that if they hang in there, they will eventually beat us. A few years ago, we had that 20/20 cricket feel in that we would be dangerous every time we had the ball given to us and you took your chances instead of waiting for us to tire. Defence was good in 2009, but we could not benefit from it when our attack had no fear about it. Lets sacrifice some defence and improve our attack! I hope King Neil Henry is just doing what he did with the Faiders - defence first year, attack on the second.

Additionally, we need a better kicking game. JT is the best player in the world, but I have not seen him do much kicking down the ground. Does he not back our players to chase? Does he fear the likes of Slaters and Haynes? We kill ourselves when we make good ground off forwards, but do not score and the opposition makes little ground but boots in down field to make up for it.

"The greatest player Matthew Bowen has ever seen is Johnathan Thurston. The greatest player Johnathan Thurston has ever seen is Matthew Bowen."

 

[The Pain Game]

I missed a point before. The Cowboys biggest problem is ambition and conservatism. IN 2008, we aimed to go one better then 2007 and combined with injury, politics and form, it was never an ingredient for success. In 2009, we believed we finally recruited to our strength and knew Mango was coming back. The premiership was a real distraction and you could see all year was about proving to the big boys that we were the real deal. I think the Dogs and Dragons just worked hard and had fun, but feel into the Cowboys trap in the finals where the premiership was something they thought they needed to step up for.

My memory is, 2004 was big expectation, but after losing 5 or so, we did some soul searching and found momentum to make the finals in a real underdog triumph. In 2005, although we wanted to make amends for 2004, we realised playing week to week footy would be tough and had our moments where we were not that good. Both seasons, not so much rated by the punters and played it week at a time or were forced to after a reality check or two.

In 2007, we were angered by 2006 and had a very underrated off-season and people thought that we would stand up, but were not the real deal. We had a bad for and against, but the pre-season laid the platform.

I have to say that 2009 was only about a premiership dream. It became too much working hard everyweek and sticking with the players we thought we would want come finals instead of throwing a few form players performing at lower grades into the mix. King Neil Henry probably experimented with Donald Malone too late, but his view was, the current team is not doing well, but without shaking it up too much, Ill pick a raw talent and he is either a success now or in 2010.

In 2010, in losing Bowen (only start of season), Tronc and Burns and losing some faith from the punters, I have to say this is the season we need. Where we can aim for an underdog tilt at the title instead of trying to be the premiers every week (and when you lose it crashes confidence). I know it also comes with the players, but I believe we almost have a desired list... but just are not getting our value out of it.

In conclusions, look at the Dogs and Dragons... did not aim for where they were throughout the season but done it on the back of a working hard, having fun and execution. The Storm were underrated because of origin and losing players, yet they seemed to want it more. The Eels were there because they sacrificed until they found the combos they wanted.

I want a relaxed Cowboys. Stop aiming for the title from when we play the Broncs in round 1. Work out what works and scrape into the finals somewhere, where we are generally ready to fire.

 

[Talanexor]

Welcome to the forums. Always great to have more input - sometimes it gets a bit quiet around here, especially over the offseason.

What's your take on the backline problems?

I don't rate Bani but everyone else seems to think he's pretty good, and deserves the time to show what he's got. Charlie and I think that Luke O'Donnell playing at centre is a great idea, but most of the others would prefer to see a "proper" centre - Malone, Will Tupou etc - there instead.

 

[Shorty]

Welcome to the forums TPG
You've got some great points and I agree with them.

 

[StinkyPete]

cpwboys looking and giving mason a offer.....apparently he's going cheap now.....I have never liked the bloke.....in saying at one time he was a dominant player and if Billy could get that Mason running out for Cowboys.......

 

[The Pain Game]

I don’t think so much Luke would be bad in the centre. He is a quality player that could make transitions like this, but I would be sceptical about his pace and ball skills to set up his winger (then again, Graham has been a long-time ball hog and when his attack is down we a left-side with no options). When defence is a problem on the left, LOD at centre solves this; however, if LOD is a defensive option, then more pressure is on Tonga (and whoever he partners) to score all our tries on the right side. Paul Bowman was able to handle this position well because he did have some genuine skills and was suited with Taebo and Matty Sing to take the attack duties (or take the pressure of his attack).

A real issue for Tonga with this though is that he already marks class/destructive players, in defence, like Inglis and Folau (to name a few), so Tonga’s attack is a bit compromised already, so I continue to see the Cowboys as a defensive team. Either this means a repeat of 2009, or teams get frustrated that LOD will now be tight on the left (and Willz still tough on the right) and won’t allow us to leak easy tries (and hopefully that will lead to annoying our opposition and countering with tries of our own).

LOD may need a genuine try-saver on the left of him, but without an attacking wing partner and unless LOD can work on some ball skills (unless Matty or JT cut him out of the play), it might not work to our team requirements.

Perhaps (and just hypothetically) Tonga should be moved to the left. If we want more attack from him, he won’t be marking players that are going to compromise his attacking game (due to heavy defensive workload). He tried this in origin with some success and it looked okay when the Cowboys gambled on it throughout games (although did not persist as we would then be troubled on the right). Doing this would mean we would need a defensive specialist to fill his void on the right and maybe LOD could do this. Not scoring tries against and Inglis or Folau would be outweighed if LOD is keeping them quiet and Tonga is shining on the left-side.

 

[The Pain Game]

I hope we don't sign Mason. I am all for us adding to our team, but I just don't know what he offers other than being cheap for the first year. Say he performs for the first year and he either leaves or we up-grade his contract and he goes back to his old way. Lets examine things:

In fairness to Willie, his behaviour seems to be okay recently (although maybe the Roosters know something we don't if they are pushing him out). He is 30 this year and if he has not grown up, will he ever? I am concerned that he may influence younger players to misbehave and if so, he is probably not worth the risk.

Lets then talk talent. So he was a past representative player... Shannon Heggarty was also and Billy Johnstone could not turn him into the player of old. Antonio Kafusi, Matty Bowen and Ty Williams have all been a shadow of themselves since knee reconstructions. Would we risk Willie also? Is Willie reliable and has he performed lately? They say you get better after a season or two (past the reconstruction) but Willie has been on the bench or sidelines quite a lot and with injury problems to LOD and form issues for Charlie and Bluey, I do not see him worth the risk as a cover for them when he might have both problems.

To those still pro-Mason, could you please tell me what his attitude is about changing himself?
Here is to the Cowboys spending their cap space on somebody!
But not Mason!

 

[The Pain Game]

Bani destroyed a depleted Cowboys back-line in the finals in 07 and despite a quiet 08, we recruited him on these grounds (knowing of his capabilities). In all fairness, he was recruited at a time when JT and Tonga were in and out of the team through origin, so he never settled into our attacking formation. I think 2010 will provide a better assessment of him. My initial thoughts were, he needs more space to run. I thought he would suit fullback better (although the highball, work-load and playmaking skills are required to suit our teams play), but we recruited Gallant (woooooo!) to cover/shift Bowen, so that is sorted to many Cowboys fans satisfaction. I don’t want to have any judgement yet, but I just hope that the trial form of John Williams, Ash Graham, Ty Williams, Brandon Boor, Will Tupou, Obe Geia and Don Malone decides who to bank on and not reputation. I don’t want King Neil Henry to be throwing in a Geia in the late rounds (if we are hypothetically struggling) of the season when it is too late to stay loyal or pick someone new. I want him to feed such a player with first grade experience early, whether that means round one or when others in-front of him are not performing in the earlier rounds. Obe is the real deal and he has his confidence back and has increased his strength. As much as I hope Taebo could get back to his destructive best, our best chances of improving our back-line is with some fresh talent. In saying that, if Ty plays like he did at the end of last season, we could have him somewhere in the team too.

 

[StinkyPete]

I got bored so heres another line up for round one and a mini breakdown of our squad

1. Shannon Gallant
2. Michael Bani
3. Will Tupou or Donald Malone
4. Willie Tonga
5. John Williams
6. ummmmmm lets say Ray Thompson or Anthony Watts
7. JT
8. Matthew Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. Antonio Kafusi
11. Steve Southern
12. Scott Bolton
13. LOD

14. Carl Webb (2nd row)
15. Steve Rapira (2nd row)
16. James Tamou (Prop)
17. Isaak Ah Mau (Prop)

Going with that line up leaves us with these guys as backups.

2nd Rower depth : Leeson Ah Mau, Dane Hogan, Nick Slyney and Ben Harris

Front Rowers depth : Manase Manuokafoa and Thats it for our depth in Props. Carl Webb can switch to Prop if needed I spose.

Halves Depth : Anthony Watts, Grant Rovelli and young kids (Ray Thompson/Ryan Stig).

Hooker Depth : Anthony Watts and Clint Amos.

Backline Depth : Will Tupou or Donald Malone, Ty Williams, Obe Geia, Ben Harris and Ashley Graham. man that's unimpressive.

Injured: Mango is out till Julyish to my knowledge.