2025 preview: North Queensland Cowboys

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Rhys Sullivan has a peak ahead at the fortunes awaiting the North Queensland club in the 2025 NRL season.

Cowboys look to wrangle in the competition in season 2025.

Heading into the fifth season under coach Todd Payten, the Cowboys find themselves in a peculiar situation - having to combine a rebuild with expectations of being a finals contender.

The decision to part ways with Valentine Holmes, Kyle Feldt and Chad Townsend after last season, coupled with the impending loss of Reece Robson at the end of 2025, is going to force the Cowboys to lean more heavily on their younger stars such as Jaxon Purdue, Xavier Kerrisk and, at least while Jake Clifford is sidelined after preseason hernia surgery, Tom Duffy.

At the same time, this is still a side oozing with talent. Robson will remain their starting hooker for this year, completing a spine containing rising Queensland star Tom Dearden and the ever dynamic Scott Drinkwater. Reuben Cotter is a bonafde stud at lock, being complimented in the forwards by the silky Jeremiah Nanai, workhorse prop Grifn Neame, the ageing but still reliable Jason Taumalolo, and a returning Coen Hess who will look to bounce back from a knee reconstruction.

The Cowboys remain a side oozing with talent, however the question of whether they can put it all together still remains.

Why they'll win it

With Jarome Luai set to transition to halfback and concerns around the long term health of Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden now has a genuine chance to stake his claim as the best fve eighth in the NRL.

If the soon to be 24 year old can replicate last seasons form, which saw him elevated into the Maroons squad where he played a star role despite their 2-1 series defeat, the Cowboys have the talent to take advantage of him and truly compete for a title.

Why they won't

The Cowboys scored 109 tries last season, putting them in the upper echelon of attacking teams, but 39 of those were scored by Valentine Holmes or Kyle Feldt, both of whom have now left the club.

Given the Cowboys ranked just 8th defensively last season, they desperately need to fnd the pieces to replace the strike capabilities they've lost, and if they can't there's every chance they'll spend another year in the bottom half of the top 8 or worse.

2025 fixture list

Key players

As mentioned earlier, much of the Cowboys success will rely on Tom Dearden. His attacking instincts have been clear ever since his debut as a Broncos in 2019, but his development as a playmaker in the last few seasons has rocketed him to the top tier of halves in the NRL. And just like many in that tier, he will get the credit when his team wins, but also the criticism if they lose.

Reuben Cotter had a down year in 2024, averaging his fewest metres per game since 2021, but the impact he has on the Cowboys is undeniable. He's a leader both on and off the feld, and he will need to continue to set an example for the rest of the forward pack to follow this season.

Rookie to watch

There has been tremendous hype around Jaxon Purdue for a few years now, and the young utility back is set to get his chance in first grade by replacing Valentine Holmes in the centres. Purdue impressed in a handful of appearances in 2024, and the Cowboys expect his development to take a tremendous leap this season.

Young halfback Thomas Duffy is also set to get some opportunities this season, with the 21 year old the presumed Round 1 starter as Jake Clifford recovers from surgery. He was named Halfback of the Year in the Queensland Cup last season and will look to impress in the NRL and pressure Clifford long term.

While the decision of Reece Robson to sign with the Roosters in 2026 was met with despair and disgust up north, 2025 will be a chance for the Cowboys to develop his presumed replacement in Xavier Kerrisk. The 18 year old has only played 10 games of senior football to date, but has represented both Queensland Schoolboys and Queensland Under 19's. While he won't get much chances this season, expect to see him get some bench opportunities if Robson is selected for New South Wales again.

Player movements

IN: Kai O'Donnell (Leigh), Jaxson Paulo, Karl Lawton (Manly), John Bateman (Wests Tigers/Warrington)

TOP 30: Braidon Burns, Coen Hess, Griffin Neame, Harrison Edwards, Helium Luki, Jake Clifford, Jason Taumalolo, Jaxon Purdue, Jaxson Paulo, Jeremiah Nanai, John Bateman, Jordan McLean, Kai O'Donnell, Kaiden Lahrs, Karl Lawton, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter, Robert Derby, Sam McIntyre, Scott Drinkwater, Semi Valemei, Thomas Duffy, Thomas Mikaele, Tom Dearden, Tom Chester, Viliami Vailea, Zac Laybutt

OUT: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Chad Townsend (Sydney), Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra), Kyle Feldt (St Helens), D'Jazirhae Pua'avase (Manly), Jake Granville (released), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (retired)

DEVELOPMENT: Emarly Bitungane, Wil Sullivan, Mason Kira, Zac Herdegen

Predicted 17

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Semi Valemi
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Griffin Neame
11. John Bateman
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter

14. Karl Lawton
15. Jason Taumalolo
16. Coen Hess
17. Kai O'Donnell