North Queensland’s players are looking to draw on the inspirational performances of their State of Origin representatives when they meet Melbourne on Sunday.
The 16th-placed Cowboys face an uphill battle to make consecutive finals appearances but have been buoyed by the efforts of their Maroons stars.
Reuben Cotter’s herculean effort garnered man-of-the-match honours in Wednesday’s victorious 26-18 series opener in which he made 48 tackles and played the entire 80 minutes.
Winger Murray Taulagi made two certain try-saving tackles in the first half while Valentine Holmes led Queensland’s run metres to go with three tackle breaks and a try assist.
All three have shown their ticker at club level too in 2023, but injuries and suspensions have hit the Cowboys who have laboured to the midpoint of the season with a 5-8 record.
Fullback Scott Drinkwater, a New South Welshman, says it was bittersweet seeing his Blues lose but believes that type of performance will do wonders for both the Origin representatives and the squad up north.
“Those guys aren’t short of confidence, especially Val,” Drinkwater quipped on Thursday.
“It’s good that they won for us – they come back with more energy, a bit happier.
“As a Cowboys player, I’m happy to see Queensland win selfishly for our team and our players to come back positive.”
All three Origin participants and 18th man Tom Dearden are expected to arrive back in Townsville on Thursday ahead of a must-win showdown against the Storm.
Four out of the Cowboys’ five wins this season have come at home and Todd Payten’s side is boosted by the return of edge-forward Jeremiah Nanai following a four-game suspension.
Despite their ladder position, the Cowboys are only four points out of the eight with their first bye next week.
Then two difficult showdowns with high-flyers Penrith and South Sydney loom.
Drinkwater rattled off plenty of strengths Melbourne have in their arsenal but was clear on how his side can stop a two-game slide.
“When we’re running hard with intent and looking to break tackles we’re a good footy team,” he added.
“When we’re not worried about some fancy stuff and just heading upstream … we’re a team that builds energy off our effort areas.”
The club will decide on Thursday whether to include co-captain Jason Taumalolo who has been sidelined since mid-April following minor knee surgery.
Australian Associated Press