Six North Queensland players are set to join a large Cowboys representation at teammate Alex Elisala’s funeral on Thursday – just 24 hours before their crunch clash with South Sydney.

The Cowboys held their own memorial last week before honouring the promising under 20s player by either wearing black arm bands or taping their heads like their fallen friend in a gutsy 14-10 last round win at Parramatta.

But Cowboys coach Neil Henry said players were also given approval to attend the Brisbane service despite the potential disruption before Friday night’s clash with South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

“The option was there for the players who felt they wanted to go and the club fully supports that,” Henry said.

Cowboys assistant Terry Matterson said the team had grown even closer as they dealt with Elisala’s sad loss.

“It was a tough week but we got a lot of good out of the week as well,” Matterson told the Cowboys website.

“The team’s very close. They’ve mourned together and they’ve worked hard together.

“It’s not just going to end now. Obviously there are some things moving forward that are going to happen.

“They’re a pretty tight group anyhow but these things just bring them a little tighter together.

“It just cements what the players already have.”

Among the players expected to attend Thursday’s service is Cowboys halfback Michael Morgan, Elisala’s best friend at the club.

The pair met at high school in Townsville before moving through the Cowboys ranks together.

Morgan only decided to run out against Parramatta on game day.

“I’d catch myself thinking about him throughout the game in any stop of play or something like that, so it was tough,” Morgan told The Townsville Bulletin.

“I just picture him with a big smile on his face.”