As part of a daily series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2023, the Cowboys are a team on the rise after last year’s huge leap to the preliminary final.
When it comes to the elusive mix of established veterans and prospects on the rise, North Queensland’s roster is the envy of most clubs in the NRL.
Todd Payten deservedly won Dally M Coach of the Year for his effort in taking the Cowboys from second last to the prelim final.
He got the best out of maligned veterans like Chad Townsend, Valentine Holmes, Peta Hiku and Jordan McLean while also bringing through a bumper crop of young talent headlined by the Dally M Rookie of the Year in Jeremiah Nanai, as well as Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert.
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Apart from Gilbert, his first-choice starting side is back in 2023 and they should be pressing hard for back-to-back top-four appearances.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Cowboys have thrown a proverbial lifeline to their 2015 premiership-winning prop James Tamou after it looked like his career would end with a wooden spoon at the Wests Tigers.
Dragons forward Jack Gosiewski also adds depth to the pack while centre Gehamat Shibasaki is back in his home town after stints with Brisbane, Newcastle and Mackay Cutters last year in the Queensland Cup.
Gilbert’s decision to return south for family reasons was a coup for the Dolphins and will be a big blow for the Cowboys.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was surprisingly squeezed out of the backline and latched onto the chance of a regular starting spot at Redcliffe.
Back-up forwards Ben Condon (Manly) and Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) have also headed elsewhere to get more game time.
Luciano Leilua is currently stood down by the NRL under it’s no-fault stand down policy as he is facing domestic violence charges.
The Cowboys could have had a readymade replacement in the second row with Heilum Luki but he is not due to make a comeback from an ACL tear until around the start of April.
Coen Hess, Cotter or Griffin Neame could be shifted to an edge to fill the breach or Payten could promote Gosiewski straight into the starting side.
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Tamou and Jake Granville are in the mix for a hotly contested interchange bench. Payten carried a utility back in his game-day squad last season rather than a hooker due to Cotter’s versatility and Reece Robson’s 80-minute stamina.
1 Scott Drinkwater
2 Murray Taulagi
3 Peta Hiku
4 Valentine Holmes
5 Kyle Feldt
6 Tom Dearden
7 Chad Townsend
8 Jordan McLean
9 Reece Robson
10 Reuben Cotter
11 Jeremiah Nanai
12 Coen Hess
13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14 Jake Granville
15 Jack Gosiewski
16 Griffin Neame
17 James Tamou
Other squad members: Luciano Leilua (stood down), Heilum Luki, Ben Hampton, Brendan Elliot, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jack Gosiewski, Jake Bourke, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Jordan Lipp, Laitia Moceidreke, Mitch Dunn, Riley Price, Taniela Sadrugu, Tom Chester.
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