With the career of Johnathan Thurston nearing an end, the North Queensland Cowboys need a focal point in the halves and they have their man.
That man is Michael Morgan, who has today re-signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for a further five seasons.
In a tremendous boost for the Cowboys, it sets up for life after Thurston as Morgan’s new deal sees him stay until the end of 2023.
The homegrown hero has formed a valuable partnership with Thurston in recent years and wants to continue that at the club he loves.
“I’m stoked to be staying at the Cowboys, a club I grew up supporting and, later in life, proudly playing for,” Morgan said.
“Townsville is my home, I’ve been involved with the Cowboys since I was 17, I made my NRL debut as a Cowboy and all the positives in my career have come from me proudly wearing this great team’s colours.
“To be able to continue that journey and keep playing alongside a great bunch of blokes – and for our excellent coaching staff and our wonderful, passionate members and fans – is pretty special.”
Identified by the club early as a potential prodigious talent, Morgan lived up to the mantle and the club are ecstatic to retain him.
“Michael was a Townsville junior, was identified at an early age, and came up through our elite pathways system, from which point he earned an NRL contract with the club,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Peter Parr said.
“It’s no secret the sort of career that Michael has had since then. Since making his NRL debut as a teenager in 2010, he has helped the club to its maiden premiership and two grand final appearances in three seasons.”
Morgan has done it all, having won NRL premierships, Origin series and numerous tournaments for Australia while at the club.
“He’s also made his Queensland and Australian debuts while playing for the Cowboys, something he and the club can be extremely proud of,” continued Parr.