Announcement: North Queensland Cowboys suspend a superstar..
The North Queensland Cowboys are undergoing a drastic roster purge following an extremely disappointing NRL season. As a result, they have made significant adjustments to their team.
Following their terrible fall from glory in 2023, the North Queensland Cowboys trimmed a sizable portion of their roster.
The Cowboys were one of the NRL’s top contenders for the championship in 2022; they were only four points away from a berth in the grand final.
However, they only managed to win 12 games this season, plunging all the way to 11th position in the standings and missing the playoffs.
With the belief that they may return to the top eight the following season, the team has not wasted any time in making roster cuts, letting go of six players and three more who left on their own.
Six other Cowboys have been informed they are not needed for the upcoming season, although former center Peta Hiku is heading to the Super League, forward Riley Price is headed to Penrith, and veteran James Tamou has decided to end his career.
Among the players let go are utility Ben Hampton, who has played 82 games, and forward Mitchell Dunn, who has played 58 games. Other players let go include winger Brendan Elliot, outside back Gehamat Shibasaki, Fijian international Taniel Sadragu, and rookie halfback Jake Bourke.
However, while the other teams in the competition begin their off-season preparations, Penrith and Melbourne have named Jarome Luai and Jahrome Hughes, respectively, as both playmakers attempt to be cleared for their preliminary final matchup.
Shaun Johnson, who survived the Warriors’ semi-final victory over Newcastle, has been selected to spearhead his team’s raid of an unaltered Brisbane on Saturday.
But up until Friday’s kickoff at Accor Stadium, all eyes will be on Panthers five-eighth Luai and Storm halfback Hughes.
After sustaining a dislocated shoulder in the last round of the regular season, Luai has not been seen in the NRL; nevertheless, he is expected to play against the Storm.
Despite Luai’s injury, the Panthers have persevered, with Jack Cogger stepping in to partner Nathan Cleary in case Luai is unable to play.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary named center Izack Tago, who overcame a pectoral injury.
Hughes’ return to the Melbourne team is something the team is looking forward to, as the Kiwi international missed their semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters due to a calf injury.
Hughes expressed confidence to reporters earlier this week that he would be able to play as the Storm look to defeat Penrith, who have lost four of their past five encounters.
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