It was business as usual for the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night at Brookvale Oval after they comfortably picked up their fifth win on the trot against an outclassed Sea Eagles outfit.
The Cowboys were always in control during the 34-18 victory in which they dominated the time of possession and completed 84 per cent of their sets.
You know you’re backing a solid squad when the only criticism is that the margin of victory probably should have been a bit larger after the northerners let in a couple of inconsequential late tries, but that is just nitpicking.
The Cowboys would have scored 38 points if not for an award-worthy acting performance from Manly skipper Jamie Lyons resulted in a disallowed try for the visitors on account of obstruction.
It was clear in the replay that Lyons was hardly touched but he sold his dramatic crash to the turf well enough to be rewarded.
There is a term for this in the National Basketball League in the States coined “flopping”, for which players are fined and occasionally suspended if found guilty, maybe the NRL should look at doing something similar, as it’s becoming a unwanted trend.
Kyle Feldt bagged himself a double on the night putting the Cowboys in a great position from the get-go.
His first try came off a sterling pass from Michael Morgan with the points coming off a leaping corner effort reminiscent of that magical moment in the grand final last year.
His second effort was a jaw-dropper when he managed to stay in-bounds and ground the ball in touch off a Johnathan Thurston grubber that seemed headed out.
The match was all but over before the 20 minute mark when some great ball movement saw Antonio Winterstein break through the Sea Eagles line to make it 18-0.
A Manly try didn’t break the Cowboys momentum one iota as Morgan slashed in for a score of his own to make it 22-6 at the break.
Two tries between the 60th and 70th minute for the visitors to Gavin Cooper and Kane Linnett gave the Cowboys their final tally for the night before a spirited - but way too late charge - from Manly created the final scoreline.
Capping a perfect week was the news of Lachlan Coote’s resigning which will see the strike weapon stay in premiership colours until at least 2018.
It’s a win-win situation as the Cowboys get to keep the tried and tested Coote, while young superstar in the making Kalyn Ponga can continue his development without immediate pressure.
Matt Scott, James Tamou, Thurston and Morgan will represent the Cowboys for the Anzac Day Test on Friday, May 6, with Jason Taumalolo looking likely to suit up for New Zealand.
