Recovery on a short turnaround has been the focus for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys this week, according to young forward Coen Hess.
Well beaten but far from disgraced last-start against the Sharks, an injury-hit Cowboys lineup – playing without at least six first-17 regulars – have been remarkably resilient in this current four-match winless streak, as head coach Paul Green and his staff look to field their best team against West Tigers this Friday.
With that mantra in mind, senior players including Gavin Cooper (calf) and Lachlan Coote (foot) will be given up until game day to prove their fitness, with Hess saying having them back training around the team this week was a real fillip for the group.
“We’re on a six-day turnaround between the Sharks and the Tigers, so recovery from a bruising Sharks match will be key, but we trained well in our main session, and it is good to hopefully be getting a couple of blokes back this round,’’ Hess said.
“Coops’s leadership is unreal and he’s one of the senior guys who has really help me in my development as a footy player, so if he’s back for this game against the Tigers, it will be a huge boost for everyone.”
Depending on the final make-up of Green’s team for Friday’s match, Hess will be playing either on the edge or in the core, or he could switch his roles between the two positions.
The game kicks off at 7.50pm on Friday.
