Michael Morgan set up the most memorable try of Kyle Feldt’s now record-breaking career and said he was happy to play his part in helping him claim a slice of history.
In Round 5, Feldt surpassed Cowboys legend Matt Bowen’s try-scoring record for the club, taking a pressure-releasing intercept in the win against the Gold Coast to score his 131st try and celebrate in front of the Townsville home crowd.
Of the 131, few have been as iconic as the try Feldt scored in the 2015 grand final against the Broncos, where he collected an audacious Morgan flick pass as the seconds wound down to draw scores level. The rest will forever be etched in Cowboys history.
“For that to be one of Feldty’s 131 tries, it’s pretty cool,” said Morgan, who presented Feldt with a commemorative ball after the game.
“He’s always been a pretty good try scorer. Feldty and I go way back, we played high school footy together, we went to the same school (Ignatius Park College), so I have always known the ability that he has had and he’s done well to have a very long career at the Cowboys.
“It’s the town that he grew up in, Townsville, so it’s a very big achievement for him.
“Matty Bowen, being a fullback, for him to score that many tries as a fullback is an amazing feat, so Feldty’s caught one of the best.”
Feldt has scored plenty of spectacular tries in his time courtesy of his leaping ability but there is no argument that North Queensland fans would rate his grand final effort the highest, making it one of the most watched tries in NRL history.
“He’s probably scored a few better tries over his career that look a bit better – he’s scored some pretty difficult tries through his career – but to be involved in one that is quite popular, it is nice," Morgan said.
“Since I have finished playing, I have reflected on the game as a whole and if I am being honest, I like that each year when the grand final comes around, that gets played a bit more and I am sure Feldty enjoys that too.”
Following the home win against the Titans, ever the pragmatist – Cowboys coach Todd Payten was happier with what Feldt’s try meant in the context of the match than the record itself, but praised his winger for making a ‘big play’ to get his side back on track after the visitors threatened a boil over.
“Feldty comes up with a big play and got us back out to a two-try lead and we were able to go on with it,” Payten said.
Grand Final Moments: 2015 Morgan Flick Pass
“That’s a big play, that’s got us over the line in the end.
“They (the Titans) had all the running of the play and the momentum behind them.
“With Feldty … we’ve shifted a little bit with what we are doing on the edges, and that’s part of the reason for it, and he came up with a good play.”
Feldt, who made his NRL debut in Round 21 in 2013, played his first game with Bowen, who remains a favourite son of the club.
Former Cowboys forward Gavin Cooper played also played with both Bowen and Feldt and said while the man they call Mango will remain his “favourite Cowboy to ever watch”, Feldt’s achievement was one to celebrate.
“He's been able to do some things that other people haven't been able to do,” Cooper said.
“People all remember him for scoring that try, but he also did the kick off in that grand final (that gave the Cowboys possession).
“Some things he's been able to do, diving through the air, he's a real finisher in the game.
“He's not far off becoming a life member of the Cowboys as well, which is pretty cool. For someone who's born and raised in Townsville [that's a big achievement].
"He actually scored the winning try in my 250th game against Penrith in the last minute, so I'll remember that one.”
Feldt – who has now made 197 appearances for the Cowboys – said chasing Bowen was something that had entered his mind after he was forced to fight his way back into being a consistent member of Payten’s line-up.
The Norths Thuringowa Devils had thought he had equalled the club legend in North Queensland’s Round 1 win over the Dolphins, but was denied his second try of the match by the Bunker, before drawing level with Bowen in their win over Newcastle the following week.
“I haven't really been thinking about it [the record] too much until now," Feldt said after the Dolphins match.
“He taught me a lot; obviously the years prior too when I was in the Under 20s, and then I was lucky enough to play one season with him as well.
“[He taught me] about kick returns, also positioning on last plays and how they kick and being able to judge a ball where it's going to land and that sort of stuff, and always taking the first carry; never give it to your fullback."
