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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 3409711, member: 1899"] I don't think the Cowboys form comes down to their travel schedule. If you watch their games they actually have some less than desirable traits but they make up for it with their structure and effort plays. They're playing like the Storm where they understand their role and they work hard for one another. They may drop off a tackle but usually somebody will cover and then next play somebody will make a big play from marker and completely cruel the momentum of the opposition. With that said, it is a strange competition this year. Heading in my Top 5 teams were Penrith, Melbourne, Sydney, Parramatta and Manly basically in that order. So far, only Penrith and Melbourne have really lived up to my expectations on a consistent basis. Both Sydney and Parramatta have been inconsistent for different reasons while Manly just never played as well as I expected them to. I really thought this was going to be the year where Manly usher in some players who came through the Hasler regime and balanced the squad better but it's all fallen apart and they'll do well to make the 8. So there's a gap and teams like North Queensland and Brisbane have put their hand up and they're playing good footy. However, we've seen this before as well. I remember in 2010 Penrith really surprised a lot of teams because they had the best kick and chase game in the competition. Luke Walsh would kick it sky high, Lachlan Coote would come from the heavens and it would be try time Penrith. That was enough to nab them second, but come the finals they were out in straight sets. The challenge for the Cowboys is to keep developing their football. They're playing with the right spirit but in those pressure moments can they bring a Tabuai-Fidow into the game? Can Tom Dearden take his game to another level? Does Chad Townsend have the tools or is this his ceiling? To me that was the sticking point with Chad. Yes, Chad can get them around the park and give them the framework to play to Payten's gameplan but in the big games against the best teams can they step up? Yes they beat Melbourne and Parramatta but they weren't at their best. I don't think they'll have that luxury in September, I think Papenhuyzen will be right and I doubt Brad will have to pick his son again and have one of his main strike weapons at centre. So I understand the apprehension, but at the same time this has been a wonderful achievement and Payten has his nose out in front to be coach of the year. [/QUOTE]

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