North Queensland Toyota Cowboys forward Ethan Lowe reckons the absence from training this week of key playmaker Michael Morgan will have a long-term positive effect on the team as Paul Green’s men prepare to tackle the Titans on Saturday night.
Morgan is expected to link back up with his club teammates ahead of the Titans game following Wednesday’s State of Origin match, the explosive utility having spent the past week-and-a-half in the Maroons’ camp on the Gold Coast.
In his stead, the club’s younger, less experienced halves – including Kyle Laybutt and Ben Hampton – have been slotting into that playmaker’s role at training, a move Lowe sees as beneficial down the track.
Add to that the lengthy injury-enforced absence of co-captain Johnathan Thurston and there’s plenty of extra opportunity for the emerging playmakers to show their wares.
“It gives the young boys a chance to step up and run the team around the paddock,” Lowe said.
“We’ve been dealing with Johnno (Thurston) being out during Origin period for a number of years now, so this is just another nice little opportunity to learn and gain experience for these boys.”
Lowe, 26, is part of a dangerous Cowboys forward pack looking to dominate the Titans’ big men as they chase a seventh win – and fourth at home – for the season.
