Todd Payten will be under immediate pressure to get a tune out of his talented North Queensland side in 2026 after a thoroughly disappointing previous campaign.
The Cowboys were porous in defence, with Gold Coast the only team in the NRL with a worse defensive record. And this will be the main area of concern for Payten that the coach simply must fix.
On the other side of the ball, the Townsville-based outfit have attacking weapons all over the park and will worry plenty of opposition outfits once again if they can click into gear.
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North Queensland Cowboys predicted team list for Round 1
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Braidon Burns
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Jake Clifford
7. Tom Dearden
8. Griffin Neame
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Sam McIntyre
15. John Bateman
16. Coen Hess
17. Thomas Mikaele
Cowboys latest team news ahead of Round 1
Scott Drinkwater will start at fullback with an impressive array of attacking talent at his disposal across the backline. Tom Chester, who missed the 2025 campaign due to an ACL injury, stands as Drinkwater's back-up.
Murray Taulagi will start on one wing, while Braidon Burns and Robert Derby are set to battle it out for the spot on the other flank.
Todd Payten declared Jaxon Purdue's future lay in the halves, yet the young gun looked far better in the centres last season. What position he earmarks for Purdue in the pre-season will be interesting to see.
Zac Laybutt and Viliami Vailea will be competing for a spot in the centres, while Jaxson Paulo will provide depth in the backline.
Jake Clifford looks to be in the box seat for the No.6 jersey after inking an extension. He will partner Tom Dearden in the halves after the exit of Tom Duffy.
Jordan McLean has retired, so will need to be replaced up front. Griffin Neame is likely to get the nod ahead of Coen Hess, although Sam McIntyre also looms as a candidate to join Jason Taumalolo in the engine room.
Reece Robson has left the club, with major signing Reed Mahoney arriving from Belmore to replace him at hooker.
Heilum Luki missed the entirety of last campaign due to an injury, but he will return to the backrow and could bump John Bateman to the bench.
Jeremiah Nanai will line up on the other edge, while Reuben Cotter will take the No.13 jersey at lock.
Hess, who missed the last few rounds of the 2025 campaign due to suspension, and Thomas Mikaele will help to provide some punch off the bench.
Karl Lawton could provide utility value, but he may find it difficult to break into the strongest 17, while the likes of Kai O'Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs will also be in the mix for spots.