SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Not just JT Cowboys prepare to farewell

Gavin Cooper says North Queensland are determined to provide a fitting farewell for their not so famous departing NRL players along with Johnathan Thurston.

Kane Linnett and Lachlan Coote
Kane Linnett and Lachlan Coote are among several Cowboys playing their last game for the club. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

For the North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday's NRL season-ending clash with Gold Coast will be all about Johnno. And Linno, Cootey and Tones.

And probably Fenno too.

Backrower Gavin Cooper admits all eyes will be on Johnathan Thurston with the Titans confirming their first sell-out crowd will farewell the North Queensland co-captain in his final game.

But he says the Cowboys will be just as determined to provide a fitting send-off for their not so famous departing teammates.

The Titans clash marks the last in a Cowboys jumper for premiership-winning centre Kane Linnett who did not have his contract renewed along with out of favour fullback Lachlan Coote.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Flyer Antonio Winterstein is expected to watch from the sidelines after already announcing his retirement due to a knee injury.

And Cooper has revealed off contract forward Shaun Fensom looks set to follow Coote and Linnett out the Cowboys' door at season's end.

"It is all about Johnno but for the role players who have been here a long time it will be a sad day for them as well," he said.

"There are a lot of guys will pull on the jersey for the last time, Fenno too I think.

"And then there are the guys who aren't there, Cootey and Tones.

"Whether it is their last time in the jersey or team polo it is their final time in Cowboys colours so it is going to be very emotional."

Centre Justin O'Neill said he would savour the final match before a new-look North Queensland backline was unleashed next year.

Cronulla X-factor Valentine Holmes has been linked to the club while emerging Cowboys speedsters Enari Tuala and Gideon Gela-Mosby are expected to fire in 2019.

"It's definitely bittersweet. It is the last time we will have this squad," O'Neill said.

"But when we knew we were no chance of making the finals, we wanted to win a few games for the guys we won't have in the squad next year.

"We wanted to finish it the best way we could."

So far so good. The Cowboys avoided the wooden spoon by thrashing Parramatta 44-6 last round in Thurston's last home game.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world