Cowboys 2023 preview: Townsville’s real-deal threats another year wiser
This time last year, more doubts than hopes surrounded Townsville’s footy outfit. Todd Payten hadn’t been with the Cowboys long, there were talks of a falling out with monster forward and club leader Jason Taumalolo, and the team’s roster didn’t sizzle on paper.
Every one of those things fell by the wayside as the cowboys rose.
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With the beginning of 2023 everything changed. Expectations now hang heavily on Payten’s north Queensland team and with another year together to work towards his vision, some are beginning to whisper they could be a title threat against the heavyweight Roosters or back-to-back Panthers. There’s a downside to that though – they won’t be the surprise package this year. Instead, teams will aim upwards and will have to study more than two dozen Premiership games to learn Payten’s plans.
Despite all of that, you wouldn’t bet on the Cowboys coming out swinging again in 2023. Something is building in the northern stronghold of the NRL and North Queensland remains a must-watch every week.
conclusion of the last year: 3rd, 17 wins and seven losses
Last ten NRL campaigns: 3rd (Prelim), 15th, 14th, 14th, 13th, 8th (Secondary), 4th (Prelim), 3rd (Premier), 5th (Semi), 8th (Qualification)
Estimated line-up for round 1
- Scott Drinkwater
- Murray Taulagi
- Peta Hiku
- Valentine Holmes
- Kyle Feldt
- Tom Dearden
- Chad Townsend
- Jordan McLean
- Reece Robson
- Ruben Cotter
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Coen Hess
- Jason Taumalolo
- Jake Granville
- James Tamou
- Griffin name
- Mitch Dunn
Coach: Todd Payten
Biggest Losses: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connelly Lemuelu Biggest Wins: Gehamat Shibasaki, Luciano Leilua
What 2023 looks like for North Queensland
Put simply, North Queensland is looking very, very good.
There will be those footy fans hoping for a downfall in Townsville, but Payten and the Cowboys never looked like a flash in the pan in 2022. Instead, they had the basics there, Payten looked to everyone to see a proper coach commander, and the stars in the roster rose at every opportunity.
Sure, the Cowboys eventually lost a shootout to Parramatta 24-20 in the preliminary finals, but for the first year of the Payten project, this is a very good place to end the season.
Despite the disappointment, this final run will be positive. The squad, both veteran talents like Chad Townsend and Valentine Holmes and younger stars like Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter, are another year wiser, having had their share of wins and losses and this time able to translate every lesson from the last 12 months into a stronger game plan around.
Bet at your own risk against the fiery cowboys from the north. There’s already a lot of excitement going on around them, not the least of which is the Sporty basis Team – these guys look like the real deal.
Expected end of 2023: 2
The first five: Raiders (H), Broncos (A), Warriors (H), Titans (H), Bulldogs (A)
TopSport Odds: Premiers $11, Make Top 4: $2.50, Make Final 8: $1.40, Miss The Top 8: $2.85
minimum score: Replicate last year’s bubble shape.
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