North Queensland are looking to overcome the disappointment of 2023 and forge their way back into the top eight this season.
Season Preview
There were suggestions that the North Queensland Cowboys’ failure to make last year’s final series might have been a result of a shortened pre-season, with many players involved in the World Cup.
This year, there’s nowhere to hide. The squad is relatively stable, with the most notable loss being Peta Hiku to Super League. The retirement of James Tamou is noted but had very little impact on the 2023 campaign – appearing for the Cowboys twice last season.
They haven’t been active in the transfer department, with Viliami Vailea and Thomas Mikaele joining the club in the off-season.
For the Cowboys to be successful in the new season they need to focus on two aspects of their game.
First, their defence. The Cowboys halved their points scored against them from 748 in 2021, to 361 in 2022 (52% drop). By doing so, they went close to making the grand final.
In 2023 they conceded 542, an increase of 50% on the previous season. Their embarrassing loss to the Wests Tigers, followed by their bounce back less than two months later, signified the Cowboys’ inconsistency last season.
Secondly, the Cowboys’ on-field discipline must improve. The NRL Match Review handed out 18 charges to the Cowboys during the season, with a total of 15 matches served and $23,000 in fines.
The two suspensions that hurt them the most were Jeremiah Nanai (four-week suspension for dangerous contact in round 9), and Valentine Holmes – who missed the last month of the regular season after deciding to contest a careless high tackle at the judiciary. His suspension derailed their chances of making the finals.
So, where do the Cowboys end up in 2024? I suspect mid-field and close to the top eight: with a heavy reliance on Scott Drinkwater, Holmes, Chad Townsend, and Tom Dearden to play out of their skins should they by chance bounce back into the eight.
Best Signing
Embed from Getty ImagesViliami Vailea is likely to come into the Cowboys’ top 17 to replace Peta Hiku, who has moved to Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers. The 21-year-old is a former New Zealand Warrior who made his debut in 2021 and has gone on to play 17 games, scoring 8 tries. He’ll improve with more experience in the NRL and could be the muscle they need out in the centres in attack.
Key Player
Embed from Getty ImagesScott Drinkwater will continue to be the most potent attacking option and potential match-winner. In 2023 he was the second highest try scorer for the club behind Kyle Feldt and ranked fourth in NRL try assists behind Shaun Johnson. A dominant season from the fullback will put the Cowboys in contention to make finals footy.
Player to Watch
Embed from Getty ImagesThere’s been a lot of speculation about Jason Taumalolo being on the outer with the Cowboys. He, along with Chad Townsend, have been dropped as club captains for the new season in favour of Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden. Now in his seventh season of a massive 10-year contract, Taumalolo faces the biggest year in his career and whether he can continue to be one of the Cowboys’ best players amidst a backdrop of uncertainty over his future.
Number Crunching
Premiers: 1 (2015)
Minor Premierships: nil
10 years win/loss record: 126 wins, 125 losses (50.2%)
5 years win/loss record: 51 wins, 67 losses (43.2%)
2023 win/loss record: 12 wins, 12 losses (50%)
NRL Finals Appearances since 2014: 5 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022)
NRL Finals win/loss record since 2014: 9 wins, 6 losses (60%)
Biggest win since 2014: 74, vs Wests Tigers (74-0, 1/7/23, QLD Country Bank Stadium)
Biggest loss since 2014: 48, vs Wests Tigers (18-66, 20/5/23, Leichhardt Oval)
