North Queensland has made a lot of pre-season predictions look silly so far this year – and while tests don’t come much bigger than what they face this week, they’ve shown so far they’re up to the challenge.
On the back of a solid mix of veterans and young guns, the Cowboys sit equal-second on the ladder after smashing an understrength Melbourne Storm last week.
Now, they face the premiers in Penrith on Friday night – where we’ll learn a lot more about their title credibility.
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NSW coach Brad Fittler said the Cowboys are “well and truly” a premiership contender.
“They’ve got a halfback who’s won the comp, they’ve got front rowers that have won competitions, people who’ve been there – then you’ve got all these young blokes,” Fittler told Wide World of Sports Freddy and the Eighth.
“These young blokes are flying at the moment.”
Not only will it be the defending premiers awaiting them, but it’s their first trip to Sydney all year – and they’ll make it without the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt.
“We’ll get a real good read there,” Andrew Johns said of their premiership aspirations.
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It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why the Cowboys have been so much better than they were in 2021 – but Todd Payten seems to have settled on a backline featuring Scott Drinkwater in the No.1 jersey, and points have flowed as a result.
Their defence has improved. Their young forwards, especially Jeremiah Nanai, are turning heads.
But it’s young talent across the park that’s helping get the job done.
“They’ve got a crop coming through,” Johns added.
“What they’re doing up there with their junior systems and the way they’re identifying them, and the way they’re coaching them – very impressive.”
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