Johnathan Thurston sums up it up best when discussing North Queensland’s 20th NRL season.
“Yep, we’re due,” says the Cowboys co-captain with a trademark chuckle.
Thurston can at least see a lighter side to North Queensland’s frustrating premiership drought.
But, as they say, you either laugh or you cry.
And Cowboys fans have been given plenty of reasons to shed a tear in their beer.
In recent years North Queensland have boasted one of the NRL’s strongest squads, rating highly in pre-season premiership favouritism, only to cruelly fall short.
A third straight finals campaign ended in 2014 with North Queensland again on the wrong end of an officials’ call.
Up north it has sparked plenty of finger pointing and conspiracy theories.
But the cold, hard facts are the Cowboys only have a 2005 NRL grand final berth and the 2014 Auckland Nines trophy to show for 19 years of toil.
Once again the Cowboys have recruited well to assemble what Thurston believes is one of the club’s finest squads.
Ex-Melbourne flyer Justin O’Neill is expected to joust with Matthew Wright – back from his ASADA ban – to replace retired centre Brent Tate at centre.
Ex-Broncos prop Ben Hannant appears an ideal replacement for Ashton Sims.
And fullback Lachlan Coote returns from a serious knee injury to keep 2014 revelation Michael Morgan honest.
Add Test props Matt Scott and James Tamou, backrow sensation Jason Taumalolo and of course three-time Dally M Medallist Thurston and again Cowboys fans are excited.
But Thurston knows better than to make bold season predictions.
“Obviously we have lost Tatey which is a huge loss as well as Ashton and (backrower) Tariq (Sims),” Thurston said.
“But we have some great boys coming through and more importantly they are great blokes.
“It is one of the best squads we have assembled – it’s time we put it to good use.”
Thurston is hopeful North Queensland will ditch their traditional slow season start this time around.
Despite getting a rare pre-season preparation after skipping the Four Nations tournament to rest a shoulder complaint, champion playmaker Thurston has revealed plans to take a break during the season in a bid to be fresh for a finals push.
However, it will depend on whether North Queensland can break a nasty habit and hit the ground running in 2015.
“We have been slow out of the blocks the last two or three years, so I am hoping we can start a lot faster this year which will give us the opportunity to put those things in place,” Thurston said.
North Queensland’s Nines captain Gavin Cooper said there were “no excuses” if they failed to come out swinging in 2015.
“We always seem to start a season slowly,” the Queensland backrow hopeful said.
“Last year we might have had some excuses with the World Cup being on and didn’t have anyone there for pre-season training or having a new coach learning his new systems.
“But we have no excuses this year.
“JT (Thurston) and Matt Scott stayed home from the Four Nations and everyone knows how Greeny (coach Paul Green) wants the Cowboys to play.
“We always finish well but there are no excuses to start slowly this year.”
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Premierships: Nil
Finishes over the past three seasons: 2014 – 5th (semi-finalists); 2013 – 8th (elimination finalists); 2012 – 5th (semi-finalists).
Coach: Paul Green
Captains: Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott
Gains: Jake Granville (Broncos), Ben Hannant (Broncos), Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels), Justin O’Neill (Storm), Ben Spina (Northern Pride).
Losses: Brent Tate (retired), Tariq Sims (Knights), Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves), Curtis Rona (Bulldogs), Joel Riethmuller (released), Anthony Mitchell (released), Ricky Thorby (released).
Strength: Despite some big name off-season losses, the Cowboys’ depth is still the envy of the league. Fullback Lachlan Coote is back from a knee injury after missing all of 2014, pre-season sensation Jake Granville has put his hand up for hooker, Justin O’Neill should chime in for the retired Brent Tate and Ben Hannant adds another dimension to an already daunting pack led by Test props Matt Scott and James Tamou.
Weakness: Mental state. Can the Cowboys overcome the torment of three straight finals campaigns ending on the wrong side of an official’s call and finally get to the big show?
Money Man: Once again, Johnathan Thurston. The playmaker already has two Golden Boot awards and three Dally M Medals but the sky is the limit for what Thurston can achieve in 2015 thanks to a rare pre-season break.
One to watch: Jason Taumalolo. The young backrower has been dubbed the next Sonny Bill Williams after his bruising display in New Zealand’s triumphant Four Nations campaign, sparking a bidding war for the off-contract talent.
Best team: Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston (co-capt), Matthew Scott (co-capt), Ray Thompson, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Robert Lui, Ben Hannant, Glenn Hall, Ethan Lowe.
Predicted finish: 4th
Betting: $9
