• This North Queensland team tactic may have gone unnoticed by everyone except our keenest followers. Kane Linnett has swapped the side of the field he plays on and is now filling the right centre role previously occupied by Brent Tate. Mid-season signing Tautau Moga is Antonio Winterstein’s new partner on the left side of the Cowboys’ attack. "I’m really enjoying it but there’s a lot to work on,” Linnett said of his new position. “I’ve got a right-hand carry and I had a bit of success on the right during the Nines at the start of the year. I feel like I can add a little bit more in attack over there. Antonio and I are still roommates so we still get to talk to each other a lot which is good because we’re good mates. Tau’s doing a good job with Tones there on the left side so hopefully we can all keep on improving.”
• The Cowboys will throw open the gates of 1300SMILES Stadium for an open training session next Wednesday afternoon. From 3.30pm to 4.30pm, you’ll be able to see our NRL squad prepare for the weekend’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans. There’ll be a signing session once training is finished and our membership team will be there to sign up new members on the day. Entry is via Gate 2 on the western side of the stadium.
• Lachlan Coote was a special guest at the Toyota Cowboys Academy session held in Mackay on Monday afternoon. Still in his rehabilitation following knee reconstruction surgery, Cootey was able to help with some training drills with the young footballers as well as chat to them about life in the NRL. On when he may make a comeback, he told the Daily Mercury: "There is a chance (to return this year), but the longer I wait, the less the risk of injury reoccurring.”
• Our stats leaders from Friday night’s win against Cronulla were: most metres – James Tamou (174m); most tackle breaks – Michael Morgan (6); most offloads – Glenn Hall and Kane Linnett (3); most tackles: Tariq Sims and James Tamou (30).
• NRL.com found room for three Cowboys in their Team of the Week from round 19: JT and Glenn Hall were in the starting team with Michael Morgan on the bench.
• See what trickshot James Tamou has to offer on the WIN News Locker Room in Wednesday night’s bulletin. It will be on air around 7.15pm.
• One Cronulla Shark made his way into the Cowboys’ dressing room to say hello following NQ’s 18-point win on Friday night. Injured Cronulla and NSW captain Paul Gallen caught up with his rep teammates as well as the Cowboys’ staff involved in the Australian team.
• Playing in Sydney on Friday night had a bonus for a few of our players who have family and friends in the NSW capital. They were given permission to stay down for the weekend as long as they were back in time for training on Monday.
• Injured co-captain Matt Scott will lend a hand at the community planting taking place in Townsville on Sunday for Toyota’s National Tree Day. He’ll be at the Murray Skate Park in Murray Lyons Drive, opposite Townsville RSL Stadium, in Annandale from 10am.
• Bidding on JT’s special Rise for Alex Round No.16 jersey is open until Friday. The leading bid at the moment is $3,900.
• Michael Morgan will make his Sunday Footy Show debut on Channel Nine/WIN this Sunday. Morgo was originally scheduled to be a guest on the show a fortnight ago, but had to pass when he was called up to be 19th man for the Maroons in Origin III. He’ll be on air just after noon.
• The Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters will be involved in the QRL’s annual Country Week in August. The Mackay Cutters will play the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Moranbah and the Northern Pride’s clash with Souths Logan Magpies will be in Mareeba. Both games will be held on Saturday night, 9 August.
• Tickets are now on sale for the 2015 State of Origin game to be played at Melbourne’s iconic MCG. They can be purchased at ticketek.com.au/mcgorigin, or call 132 849 or visit any Ticketek agency.
• The Cowboys are still $34 chances to win the premiership with bookmakers bet365.com.au. That puts us on the 10th line of betting. Manly are favourites at $3.75.
