'We'll be back': Payten’s pledge after Prelim heartbreak

In the immediate aftermath of his side's 24-20 loss to the Eels in Friday night’s Preliminary Final, Cowboys coach Todd Payten was steadfast in his belief that the club will be back as a Premiership contender sooner rather later. 

North Queensland surrendered a 20-12 lead midway through the half to lose the match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, ending a fairytale run which saw them go from 15th spot last year to finish the regular season in 3rd.

While bitterly disappointed with the result, Payten said if his side continue on their current trajectory they won’t have to wait long for another shot.

“We have got a good foundation, if we don’t fall in love with ourselves moving forward, and we continue to work hard and want to get better, we will be back here again,” Payten said.

“It’s hard to get here, I know that, and that’s what makes the opportunity missed so disappointing. But we have got an abundance of talent.

I want us to walk out with our heads up. I know they’re disappointed, they really are. But we put some respect back into the jersey and the club.

Todd Payten

“We weren’t supposed to make the finals, we weren’t supposed to make it out of the bottom four of the whole comp, and we were 25 minutes short of a Grand Final.”

During their impressive 2022 campaign the Cowboys also unearthed a new generation of players who can lead the club into the future. 

Forwards Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, and winger Murray Taulagi, all emerged as genuine stars and made it to representative level with the Maroons, while Kiwi interchange player Griffin Neame also made strides.

In addition to that, Payten managed to get the best out of his existing cattle, with Scott Drinkwater, Jason Tuamalolo and Reece Robson enjoying strong seasons, alongside new recruits Peta Hiku, Chad Townsend and Luciano Leilua, who added class and experience.  

Townsend said that with the majority of the first-choice group returning next year the future looks bright, while pausing to pay tribute to the work done by Payten and his coaching staff.

“Next year we lose Tom Gilbert to the Dolphins but we get Heilum Luki back from a long-term injury and the rest of our side is locked in for next year," Townsend said.

“The club has done an exceptional job of keeping the local talent.

“Toddy has really brought our squad together from day one… him and his staff have coached the hell out of our group.

“In my eyes he is coach of the year and no one will change that.”

After supplying nine players across the two wider Origin squads earlier this year, the Cowboys are expected to again be well represented in England next month when the World Cup kicks off.

Tuamalolo will head up a star-studded Mate Ma’a Tonga side, while Hiku and Neame are expected to feature for New Zealand.

Leilua (Samoa), Nanai (Australia/Samoa) and Valentine Holmes (Australia/Cook Islands) are also a good chance of taking part in the tournament.