HE showed spark when spending time at fullback last week, but Michael Morgan is not expecting to see a number one next to his name when the Cowboys reveal their starting line-up for Friday’s NRL match in Bathurst.
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Morgan and his North Queensland team-mates will make the trip south to Carrington Park to take on the Penrith Panthers in round nine of the competition.
With the Cowboys’ regular fullback Lachlan Coote carrying a rib complaint there is some speculation that Morgan – who was switched from five-eighth to custodian late in last Saturday’s match against the Raiders – may start there against the Panthers.
But when asked on Monday if he would make the switch, Morgan replied: “I’m not, I don’t think.”
“I'm sure Greeny [coach Paul Green] wouldn't have made up his mind what his plans are this week. I know that he doesn't usually know what he is going to do until a few days in and until we've reviewed the game,” he said.
"I went back there for 10 or 15 minutes or something, so it's not something I'm expecting to do full time or anything.
“It's only been a couple of short stints in games, last week I did it because Cootey hurt his ribs and the other night I think was just because Greeny wanted to try something at the end. It's not something I'm expecting to do too much of.”
Morgan is no stranger to fullback – he has started there 27 times – while he has also lined up at halfback for the Cowboys.
However, he is certainly more comfortable as five-eighth.
“The fitness would be the biggest thing [about playing fullback], there's a lot more running back there, but at the moment I'm not thinking that I'm going to be going back there either,” he said.
Wherever Green ends up using Morgan on Friday night, there is no doubt he will be giving his all to see the Cowboys notch up a much needed win.
At the moment they sit in second last with two victories from eight games.
Given Penrith currently occupy second spot on the ladder, it is no surprise that they have been installed as the favourites for the match.
Morgan is under no illusions that upsetting the Panthers – who have won their last three matches at Bathurst – will not be easy. But he points out tough encounters are the norm in the NRL and is remaining optimistic.
“You never have an easy game in this competition, so we never expect a game to be easy, but Penrith are going really well,” he said.
“They’ll be hard no matter what. It’s a fair trip getting out there [Bathurst], so we’ll go down a day earlier to get the travel out of the way.
“Hopefully we can settle in and start to win.”
Kick-off in Friday night’s match at Carrington Park is at 7.55pm.
