Brave Edwards returns with plenty on line for Cowboys
Joel Gould |
North Queensland get four key players back from injury and suspension at just the right time as they aim to finish the NRL season with a run of wins.
The Cowboys host the Knights on Sunday afternoon with veteran prop Jordan McLean (calf) and Thomas Mikaele (knee) back in action, as is versatile forward Harrison Edwards, who missed last week’s 19-18 loss to Parramatta with a blood infection.
The loss of prop Coen Hess for the rest of the season due to suspension is counterbalanced by the return of bench utility Karl Lawton from his two-match ban.
Edwards has been one of the side’s most consistent performers this year in his 18 games, and coach Todd Payten explained why he was a late scratching against the Eels last week.
“He trained through the week and we get to captain’s run when I get a phone call saying Harry is not well,” Payten said.
“He spent the night in hospital with a blood infection. There was a thought that he might be able to get through and recover in time, but we made a decision on his long-term health.
“He was in no shape to play and we missed him. He played 80 minutes the week before against the Sharks and is an unsung hero for us. To have him back is going to be important.”
Winger Semi Valemei is off-contract and will play just his second game of the season after an injury-disrupted year. He ran for 212m last week on his return and has another chance to put himself in the shop window.
“He has had a tough year to date with a broken jaw, quad strain and syndesmosis surgery, and I thought he was good,” Payten said.
“He carried the ball strong and made good decisions.”
The Cowboys have a suite of players qualified to play internationals at the end of the year, including Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter (Australia), John Bateman (England) and Jeremiah Nanai (Samoa).
Head of football Micheal Luck said there were multiple reasons why the Cowboys would not be taking the foot off the pedal.
“Although we didn’t get the win last week, it was a high-quality game where a number of our guys played pretty well,” Luck said.
“We are back to having what is looking like a first-choice team available for selection, so we want those guys to keep improving every week and finish the year on a good note.
“There are some guys playing for rep jumpers at the back-end of the year, and other guys can put themselves in the frame for selection early next year.
“We have three games in front of us that are all very tricky. Initially it is against opponents that are around us on the ladder, and we finish with the Broncos, who will be playing for a semi-final spot.”
AAP
