After a lengthy, drawn out and seemingly never-ending process, the North Queensland Cowboys have finally appointed someone to take the fallen 2015 champions back to the top.
With names like John Cartwright, Shaun Wane and current interim coach Josh Hannay being hotly discussed, Todd Payten has landed his first full-time coaching gig in the NRL signing a three-year-deal, reported to be worth around $1.5 million.
Coincidentally, Payten is one of the men responsible for bringing the Cowboys their maiden premiership. Payten served as the Cowboys u20s coach in 2015 and as the assistant under Paul Green before departing for the Warriors prior to the 2019 season to assist Stephen Kearney with the side’s attack.
Payten has always had a good affinity with the club and the time is finally right.
In fact, the Cowboys couldn’t need a guy like Todd Payten more. It isn’t just the fact he looks like that guy you see in movies thanks to bald head and the really cool goatee.
You know? The one with the cool, tight fitted clothing and drives a sick motorcycle. That’s Todd Payten.
Paul Green came under fire for his man management, or lack thereof.
The form of the Warriors, I believe, is a testament to Payten’s ability to man manage.
Imagine coming over to Australia as an assistant coach. You’re without your family, just like everyone around you.
Not long after, the coach of the team or your boss, is sensationally sacked. With the sacrifice the Warriors made, this puts a lot of attention on your team from the media.
The responsibility to lead this team in the most unique circumstances has fallen on you. You’ve dealt with many injuries to key members of the squad, trying to get loan players in for short periods.
Many times, Payten will have had to be the man for a hug, words of support and a shoulder to cry on for many young men in a challenging situation.
A good coach can be a mate, but also able to tell a player his performances are not up to scratch.
Payten has also appeared to have brought in resilience, mental toughness and steel – all things the Warriors are accused of lacking.
But if you look at this Warriors side in recent weeks, and they are almost unrecognisable. Line speed and defence is night and day from what it was.
A steely performance against the back-to-back reigning premiers, and some impressive wins including the 36-6 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Todd spent time as the u20s coach of the Wests Tigers in 2012 and 2013 coaching them to fourth and fifth respectively before spending 2014 as the assistant coach. A mark left in Leichhardt that apparently had Tigers advocating for him to get the senior role. Payten relocated his family to Townsville to become the u20s coach in 2015, coaching them to second on the ladder.
And the Cowboys have young talent in abundance with names like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connelly Lemuelu, Jake Clifford, Daejarn Asi, Tom Gilbert, Reece Robson, Emry Pere and the untried Tukimihia Simpkins.
A new stadium, centre of excellence, a young roster and an up and coming coach? History awaits. But it’s time to smile for the proud Cowboys who may have forgotten how to in recent years with many false dawns.
Let’s hope this is a new horizon.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Please don't be a false dawn. Good luck to him.
Tony
Roar Guru
Agree. I'd like to see him playing on an edge like Kikau
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
He turned down the Warriors due to a family situation. Corona Virus created an unknown as to whether him/his family could travel to and from Australia easily.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I’ll be interested to see his approach with JT ,who’s used by date has been accelerated by Green’s overwhelming reliance on him for the Cows attack.JT is already showing excessive wear n tear this season
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Albo, it would be interesting to know why Payten turned down the Warriors.take the climates out of the equation - both have a lot of travel involved in a normal season.in terms of Coaching Holy Grail the Warriors is the Everest now that Flanno got the Sharks up.Maybe he saw the NZ team a mountain too far.
Jocko
Guest
They ain’t fit. Forwards are big and slow. Backs are ok.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Thank you so much mate! Really appreciate that.
Paul
Roar Guru
In contrast, the Dragons beat the Eels when their coach was sacked. A points differential of -188 suggests Payten has lots to do on both parts of the game. The good news is, there is some serious talent there as yu suggest, but I still think a few of the boys might want to forego mad Monday and start putting out feelers to other Clubs, or really lift in the last few games.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think Payten has done a very good job with the Warriors. But I think circumstances have helped him with his advertising campaign for the Cows coaching job. Whilst the Warriors have been forced to live away from home for the past few months, I think that has probably been the making of this team's recent improvements . A bit like the old Kangaroo tours where the touring team is living together in " enemy territory" and coming together to play each week. And the Central Coast resorts aren't too tough to take for team bonding. And the other thing that has helped has been the injection of some new "mongrel blood" into the team with the loan players, particularly with the early players Poasa Faamausili & Jack Hetherington who added a bit of starch and go forward to their pack , and Nikorima & RTS have benefited there.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not sure Broncos fans would agree ?
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Our youngsters have worked with him previously. I hope that helps them go forward again, guys like Hess for example, they worked with Todd in the Holden Cup days. I'm putting hope into that.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
It won't be easy, but if there's anyone you'd have some faith in judging by what we see from the Warriors, while that's not all Payten, it's him who'd have a chance to do that for the Cowboys!
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
He's definitely ready to go. Hopefully a new career coach in the making!
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
The ones who make it simple tend to be the best! The old saying of the most intelligent are the ones that can make things simplest and easy to understand. He's gotten some guys in there performing to a quality standard which has been impressive for me!
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
I want that to be the case of course! I hope a lot of the guys buy into him like the Warriors have. He would already know a lot of the guys which is good.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't be surprised, he's well acquainted with the club obviously. I have a lot of faith in Todd obviously, new era which might've been needed for some time.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the Broncos one will be interesting. It sounds like a two horse race between Paul Green and Kevin Walters. Ikin for CEO you'd imagine. Greeny or Kevvy would be interesting to watch!
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
I mean, a lot of the points conceded came from the inevitable smacking by Melbourne when the coach had been sacked and there might’ve been a few distractions but hard to excuse a 50-6. There’s not much explanation for the 46-10 the Sharks gave them. Been impressed by their improvement however! Todd seems like a no-nonsense type of operator with bad performance, so I’d hope a few guys are ready to go to another level.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate, it's been very frustrating. But could be worse I suppose haha.
Joel DW
Roar Rookie
Perhaps, should've taken that into account. But when you're in lockdown capital and eagerly waiting you won't believe how long 1 month and 10 days is hahaha. I don't see Cartwright's appeal to be honest. 86/186 at the Titans from memory. I'm happy to see Payten get the gig obviously. Not too sure why we didn't do 2 and not 3 as per the club's option. But 3 isn't too bad, could be worse, it's not 5 with his option thankfully.