Jason Taumalolo's Return Key to Cowboys' Grand Final Bid
· fitness
How do you get from eighth to a grand final? ‘A prime Jason Taumalolo helps’
Coen Hess’s assessment of what it takes to rise from eighth place to an NRL grand final is refreshingly straightforward. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the 2017 Cowboys team, which still casts a long shadow over the league.
That campaign was marked by unpredictability. North Queensland didn’t even know they were making finals until it was too late to do anything but seize the moment. As Hess notes wryly, “anyone can beat anyone on their given day.” This truism applies as much to today’s teams as it did to his own side all those years ago.
The partnership between Jason Taumalolo and Michael Morgan was a key factor in North Queensland’s success. The dominant combination produced three victories en route to the grand final, with Morgan scoring and setting up tries each time. Since then, Morgan has retired, leaving Taumalolo to carry the torch into this season. His journey back to form has been long and winding – three lean years of injury woes and reduced playing time – but he’s finally begun to recapture the magic that made him an elite player.
Taumalolo’s resurgence is crucial in North Queensland’s bid for redemption. At 33, he remains one of the game’s best middle forwards, as evidenced by his impressive tackle busts and running metres this year. However, it’s not just about individual brilliance; team momentum is also essential. When you’re on a roll, anything seems possible – and North Queensland needs that spark more than ever.
The Cowboys have been struggling all season, conceding an alarming 652 points so far. It’s hard to see how they’ll turn things around against Cronulla, who’ve been one of the most consistent teams in the competition. Yet Hess remains optimistic, pointing out that momentum can be harnessed for great success.
As North Queensland prepares to face their familiar foes from the Sharks, the question on everyone’s mind is: what happens if Taumalolo gets back into top gear? Can his teammates rally around him and ride the wave of momentum to victory? It’s a tantalizing prospect, but one that requires more than just individual brilliance. The Cowboys need to find their collective groove, and fast.
Reuben Cotter’s return from suspension is a welcome boost, but it’s Taumalolo who will be key to unlocking North Queensland’s potential. As Hess puts it: “he’s definitely one of those players with aura.” When he’s on, anything can happen – and it’s up to his teammates to follow in his footsteps.
In the end, this season’s outcome is far from certain. But one thing is clear: if North Queensland is going to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need Taumalolo at the top of his game. The question is: can he recapture that 2017 magic and inspire his team to greatness once more? Only time will tell, but for now, it’s up to him – and his teammates – to seize the moment and write their own history.
Reader Views
- TGThe Gym Desk · editorial
Taumalolo's return is indeed crucial for North Queensland's grand final aspirations, but we can't overlook the elephant in the room: their alarming concession record. 652 points is a staggering number, and one that raises serious questions about the team's defensive solidity. While Taumalolo's resurgence is a welcome boost, it's unlikely to paper over the cracks in their backline if they continue to leak tries at this rate. North Queensland needs a more cohesive effort from all players if they're to make up ground on Cronulla and mount a serious challenge for the title.
- DRDevon R. · former athlete
The real test for Taumalolo and the Cowboys will be how they adapt their game plan once he's back in top gear. If they're relying too heavily on his explosive plays, they'll struggle against a team like Cronulla who'll be able to shut him down with some clever defensive strategy. North Queensland needs a more balanced attack, one that involves the likes of Bernard Lewis and Scott Drinkwater making their own contributions to the scoreboard rather than just piggybacking off Taumalolo's moments of magic.
- CTCoach Tara M. · strength coach
The Taumalolo factor is being blown out of proportion here. Don't get me wrong, he's still an elite player and his return to form has been impressive, but let's not forget that this team's problems run far deeper than one individual's resurgence. The Cowboys have conceded a staggering number of points all season, which suggests a more fundamental issue with their defence. Until they address those structural weaknesses, it's hard to see how Taumalolo can single-handedly turn the ship around.