Cowboys 2024 preview: Last season’s slip-up cannot define Cowboys’ new era

North Queensland had a very rough bounce back to reality in 2023 after the high-flying top-four finish the year before and that leaves them facing the real test: can they put that bobble behind them and get back on track?

Twelfth last campaign wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world for the Cowboys and fledgling coach Todd Payten… if they hadn’t defied every expectation and looked like genuine title contenders just months before. Perhaps the expectations that then mounted up proved too great for a team still rising.

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This time around, the up and down experience of 2022 and 2023 should set both helmsman and rowers in good stead. The mix is there, but whether the Cowboys have that final step is the debate.

Last year’s finish: Twelfth, 11 wins, one draw, and 12 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 12th, 3rd (prelim), 15th, 14th, 14th, 13th, 8th (runners-up), 4th (prelim), 3rd (premiers), 5th (semi)

Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Murray Taulagi
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Viliami Vailea
5. Semi Valemei
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville
15. Griffin Neame
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. Coen Hess

Coach: Todd Payten

Biggest losses: James Tamou Biggest gains: Jake Clifford

How 2024 is looking for North Queensland

The Sporting Base does think Payten’s men have it in them to do better than last time out. Heck, all that stopped them from making the postseason last October was a brutal 44-12 loss to a Penrith Panthers outfit that was bound for the threepeat. Not the most ignominious end, though the Cowboys likely would have wanted to avoid it completely.

This time, the team should have enough star power—and twelve more months of experience—to battle their way through the regular season and into the top eight spots. Even just reading the laundry list of talent, including Valentine Holmes, Chad Townsend, the emergent Scott Drinkwater, pack starlets Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki, and veteran engine Jason Taumalolo, suggests North Queensland have the firepower to do better than their 2023 slip-up.

With several contenders around them gearing up for a fight too, not least the Rabbitohs, Eels, and Sea Eagles, there’s a lot for the Cowboys to do, but if Payten has taken the right lessons from last season’s debacle, then finals should again await the northern squad.

Predicted 2024 finish: 8th

First five: Dolphins (A), Knights (H), Dragons (A), Broncos (A), Titans (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $16, Make Top 4: $3.60, Make Final 8: $1.70, Miss The Top 8: $2.10

Pass mark: Don’t let last year’s drop become the norm.