The Cowboys have been one of the disappointments of the 2023 season, unable to capture the form of last year’s cinderella season, and one NRL great has shed light on just how bad it’s become.
On Monday night’s episode of NRL 360, Cooper Cronk shed light on a piece of play during the embarrassing 44-6 loss to the Sharks which shows how the Cowboys are not on the same page.
In the clip, halfback Chad Townsend, who was nowhere to be seen at Cowboys training on Tuesday, throws his hands up in frustration towards Jeremiah Nanai.
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“They are searching hard, and they fought hard to win against Newcastle but this play right here sums up the Cowboys plight,” Cronk said.
“Townsend comes down the right hand side and Nanai on that right edge is completely behind him. You can see how frustrated Townsend is.
“The halfback goes to the line and no player is anywhere near him. That really sums it up for the Cowboys.”
He’s not the only Cowboy, but Townsend is struggling to find the same form of last year as North Queensland languish in second last on the NRL winner with three wins and six losses.
Townsend was taken off the field in the 50th minute of the Sharks clash, with coach Todd Payten citing “niggling” injuries.
Cowboys Press Conference | 03:22
Cronk believes many Cowboys had career years in 2022 and things that were working last year, aren’t this year.
“Last year, I think every Cowboys player on the list basically had their best year in first grade, now those little things aren’t working,” Cronk said.
Doing things like this isn’t going to help … They need to keep searching, need to keep working hard for one another.”
With Ben Hampson taking Townsend’s spot in the halves at training, the Cowboys could be in line to make a key switch for their Magic Round Clash against the Roosters on Sunday.
