NORTH Queensland are poised to land a huge coup with Michael Morgan to re-sign on a long-term deal, according to Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper.

With superstar playmaker Johnathan Thurston retiring at season’s end, it’s a massive boost for the future of the Townsville-based club.

Morgan’s game went to another level in 2017 — particularly without Thurston who was sidelined with a shoulder injury — so the Cowboys knew they needed to dig deep to retain him.

Round 19

“I think they will be some big news in relation to Michael Morgan over the course of the next few days,” Hooper told NRL 360.

“I think he’s going to re-sign with the club on a four or five-year contract. Terrific news for them.

“He’s a Townsville product and if he stays his entire career there, I believe he’ll be the first Townsville kid to stay the duration at the club.”

North Queensland Cowboys star Michael Morgan. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: News Corp Australia

Asked whether Morgan is good enough on his own to take the Cowboys beyond the Thurston era, Hooper replied: “On the evidence we saw in the finals, absolutely.

“You can’t replace Johnathan Thurston, he’s a once in a generation player and the thing that’s made JT one of the greats is he’s got better with age at all levels.

“But from what we saw out of Morgan in the back end of the season, it was the development of his game.”