Rugby League: Winger credits Cowboys with helping him through younger brother's death

"I'm still taking it day by day. I'm still coming to terms with it," Winterstein said of his family's great loss. Photo / Getty Images

North Queensland have shown tremendous grit and determination to turn their season around but that tenacity pales in comparison with the inner strength shown by winger Antonio Winterstein following the recent and tragic death of his younger brother Francis.

Ahead of tonight's match against the Warriors, the 26-year-old winger explained how he has sought solace in his football and found comfort within the team and club environment at the Cowboys.

"I'm still taking it day by day. I'm still coming to terms with it," Winterstein said of his family's great loss. "It's [football] really kept me busy and it's something he wouldn't have wanted me to let go of.

"Being around the boys and just having that love and support has definitely helped me through some tough patches."

Auckland-born, the Samoan representative and former Kiwis squad member says Townsville has well and truly become home since arriving at the Cowboys in 2011 after a two-year stint with Brisbane.

The manner in which the town rallied behind his family has had a great effect on him, with the Northreach Baptist Church offering the use of its chapel and hall and a local bus company providing transport for the large number of people paying their respects.

"I owe the team and community a lot for the love and support they have shown me and my family so I'm just looking to do whatever I can to repay them," Winterstein said.

"If that's playing good footy on the field for them then so be it, I'll do my best to do that for them."

Two tries in an emotional playing return against Melbourne three weeks ago saw him do just that, while he also got on the score sheet with a four-pointer in Monday's comprehensive win over South Sydney.

Three straight wins have seen the Cowboys revive their season after beginning the year with three consecutive defeats, but Winterstein says there is no great secret behind their rise in form.

"Just our ball control has improved and we've gone back to basics. Our completion rate the last two weeks has been pretty good and we're still working on that, and our timing in attack has been really good.

"We've still got a lot of improvement left in us and we're working on that. Hopefully we can put another strong game in on Saturday."

Finding the motivation to beat the Warriors won't be difficult, he says, with the Cowboys determined to put in another strong showing for captain Johnathan Thurston's 250th NRL match.

"He's a player you don't want to let down and if it was a big milestone for me he would definitely put his best foot forward and play as best he could.

"We're just ready to roll the sleeves up and put a good performance in for Jono."