North Queensland Cowboys NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>Despite being unanimously tipped to finish near the foot of the ladder in 2022, the Cowboys ended up coming third and were one suspect pass away from making the Grand Final.</p> <p>No longer flying under the radar, the Cowboys will be expected to replicate the success of last season this time around.</p> <p>Forwards like Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter have gone from virtual unknowns to household names in the space of one season, while Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend are now one of the most celebrated halves pairings in the NRL after being one of the most maligned.</p> <p>The North Queensland Cowboys’ predicted team for this season will barely differ from the one that was a whisker away from the big dance last year, so can they pick up where they left off? Or will it be a case of second season syndrome for Townsville’s finest? Read our North Queensland Cowboys preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Jack Gosiewski (St George Illawarra Dragons)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>James Tamou (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As previously mentioned the Cowboys’ off season recruitment has been minimal as sweeping changes have not been necessary following the success of their 2022 campaign.</p> <p>The only notable new inclusion is returning favourite son James Tamou. The 300 game veteran has elected to finish his career where it began, taking up a lifeline deal with his former club to finish off his storied career.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Tom Gilbert (The Dolphins), </strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Connelly Lemuelu (The Dolphins), </strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (The Dolphins), </strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Ben Condon (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A trio of troopers have packed their bags for Wayne’s Redcliffe revolution. Origin forward Tom Gilbert, the mercurial Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and the versatile Connelly Lemuelu have all signed on the dotted line for the Dolphins.</p> <p>While all three are quality players, their loss will not be felt too heavily by the Cowboys who have ready made replacements lined up to take their places.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Tom Dearden</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Last year was undoubtedly a breakthrough year for Cowboy’s No.6 Tom Dearden.</p> <p>After joining the Cowboys halfway through the 2021 season from the Broncos, his start to life in Townsville couldn’t have gone much worse. He lost all ten of his first games in a Cowboy’s jersey and quickly became a scapegoat for the Cowboys dismal season by fans and pundits alike.</p> <p>Fast forward 12 months and he had completed one of the greatest redemption arcs in NRL history.</p> <p>Not only did he lead the Cowboys to a third-placed finish and a preliminary final, but he also made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in a game three decider - no pressure kid.</p> <p>Deputising for the injured Cameron Munster, Dearden performed more than admirably ensuring the Maroons secured yet another Origin shield.</p> <p>In his short career he has already shown he is capable of the ridiculous and the sublime, so which version of Tom Dearden will we get this season?</p> <p>Was last year just a flash in the pan? Or is Dearden now one of the game’s elite playmakers? Regardless, he is definitely one to watch this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Queensland Cowboys’ Season Prediction</h3> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>6th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The fact that no one expected much of the Cowboys last season would have very much played into their favour.</p> <p>They were able to casually fly under the radar and before anyone could stop them, they were one game away from a truly unlikely Grand Final berth.</p> <p>This season however the veil has been lifted, the cat is out of the bag, opposition teams know what to expect.</p> <p>With any kind of success comes the weight of expectation and as the old adage goes: heavy lies the crown.</p> <p>It is unrealistic to assume the Cowboy’s form will fall off a cliff, but will they be able to soar to the lofty heights of last season? Perhaps.</p> <p>Teams like the Rabbitohs and Roosters both missed out on the top 4 last season due to injury disrupted seasons, the Cowboys also had a very favourable draw in 2022.</p> <p>Due to these factors, it is likely the Cowboys will be squeezed out of the top 4, but they still have more than enough quality to comfortably make the top 8 and potentially go on another deep finals run.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Queensland Cowboys’ Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Scott Drinkwater</li> <li>Kyle Feldt</li> <li>Peta Hiku</li> <li>Valentine Holmes</li> <li>Murray Taulagi</li> <li>Tom Dearden</li> <li>Chad Townsend</li> <li>Jordan McLean</li> <li>Reece Robson</li> <li>Reuben Cotter</li> <li>Coen Hess</li> <li>Jeremiah Nanai</li> <li>Jason Taumalolo</li> <li>Jake Granville</li> <li>Griffin Neame</li> <li>Jack Gosiewski</li> <li>James Tamou</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p>