NRL: Todd Payten’s final word, Kyle Feldt’s last ride and Jake Clifford’s big Cowboys mission

The Cowboys are ready for their biggest game of the year. Read why Payten has backed his captains to lead from the front, what Feldt is thinking ahead of his last match in Townsville, and Clifford’s tough task against his old club.

North Queensland co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter have taken on a steely focus as they prepare to lead the Cowboys into NRL finals for the first time as skippers.

They young stars were both key members in the 2022 campaign but have come in leaps and bounds since their post-season baptism of fire.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said his two captains were ready for anything on the eve of their do-or-die battle with Newcastle.

“A couple of the coaches mentioned to me this week, just in casual conversation, that both captains are dialled in,” Payten said.

“There’s certainly a look in their eye. A fire in the belly. This is their first campaign in the finals as captains, and they want to do themselves and their town and the community justice.

“There’s a finals feeling around the group.”

Cowboys coach Todd Payten is pictured before the round 27 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Dearden and Cotter took over captaincy duties from Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend at the start of this year but it wasn’t until after State of Origin that they warmed into the role.

While they can always be counted on to be among the Cowboys’ best performers each week, both players have come a long way since pre-season in terms of their off-field leadership.

Payten said their dedication to becoming better leaders was beginning to bear fruit.

“They’ve taken responsibility on wholeheartedly. (There was) a little bit of trepidation immediately, and then that added responsibility has put a little bit of pressure on them to perform every week, and I think they both have done that,” Payten said.

“They’re feeling more and more comfortable as weeks go by asserting themselves within meetings, out on the field, training pitch, and so on.

“They’re getting some great support from the former captains and the other leaders within the group.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the effort they’re putting into that part of their game and I expect them to grow again over the off-season and be better for the experience this year.

“They’re great kids and they’ve got the respect of the group and the town and community, and that was part of the decision for why we made them captains.”

Tom Dearden poses during the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Launch at Hickson Reserve on September 09, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Dearden said the team had put great importance in securing a home final to give fans another opportunity to turn out for their team.

“It’s a good chance to get to play in front of our fans in a packed-out stadium so I’m really looking forward to it,” Dearden said.

“Playing in finals means everything to both teams and we don’t have a second chance, so it’s going to be an important game. No doubt the Knights are going to be up for the contest.

“Having a big crowd gives us a big lift. You know how far people travel to come and watch us play, so when we get the chance to play in front of a sold out stadium it gives the team a lot of energy and just knowing that the fans are getting behind us really helps a lot.”

FATHER FELDT FINDS FORM

Kyle Feldt has credited the birth of his second child as the catalyst for his finest season in Cowboys colours as he prepares to play in front of his hometown fans for the final time.

Feldt had scored at least 11 tries every season since 2016, but this year the 32-year-old breached the 20-try mark for the first time, equalling Matt Bowen’s club record 22 tries in a single season set in 2007.

Feldt welcomed his first son, Marlo John Feldt, into the world in February and the veteran winger said a fresh focus on fatherhood had improved his football.

Kyle Feldt poses with his family during a lap of honour. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“Last year wasn’t ideal personally but I’ve put that aside. It’s part of sport, you have a couple of bad games here and there and it’s the way you adapt and overcome those times of adversity, and I think I’ve done that pretty well this year,” Feldt said.

“I’ve put it behind me and now I’ve got another kid, so I’ve got two kids, and I think going home and being able to switch off from footy is probably something that’s helped me out the most.

“When I’m at home, I’m focused on being a dad and not worrying about football, because at the end of the day, I’m a father first. I’ve really enjoyed that aspect of being a dad.”

Feldt is one of just four players in the squad who were around in 2015 when the Cowboys won their inaugural premiership.

Cowboy's Kyle Feldt celebrates scoring a try to level the scores during the 2015 NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

For many in the team, the only memory of finals is the heartbreaking preliminary final loss to the Eels two years ago.

“Last time we played here was 2022 against Parra, the elimination final, and we’ve got some stones unturned there that we need to fix up,” Feldt said.

“I thought about that (being his final home game) last time we played here, got all the emotions out of the road so I can focus on footy for the next couple weeks.

“It is going to be the last home game up here, we won’t get another final up here, so hopefully it’s a good one, and we can go out on a high.

“I know that I’m going to take it all in this year – it is my last year in the NRL so I’m looking forward to everything that lies ahead.”

CLIFFORD’S HOMECOMING FINAL

There’ll be no love lost between Jake Clifford and his former teammates when he tries to scupper Newcastle’s season on Saturday night.

The Knights threw Clifford an NRL lifeline in 2021 after North Queensland sent him packing when they secured Tom Dearden in a mid-season move from Brisbane, but the Tully Tigers junior never gave up on his dream of winning a premiership with the Cowboys.

Jake Clifford of the Cowboys in action during the round 27 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium, on September 07, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

A season in England helped the young halfback mature into a more well-rounded first grader and his red-hot form at the Northern Pride was enough for Clifford to earn a Cowboys re-call.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten said Clifford would need to bring his best kicking boots to nullify the impact of superstar Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga.

“He’s got a good right-foot kick that goes down that right-hand corridor, and we’ve got Drinky (Scott Drinkwater) who’s been stepping up a little bit more to break the rhythm up around left and right,” Payten said.

“Both of those guys need to nail the kick first and foremost. We need to negate Kalyn’s impact on the game whether it’s him coming out of his own end or the opportunities he’s going to get with good ball.”

Clifford has had a taste of finals football before with the Knights, but this will be his first post-season game played in Townsville.

He said he was looking forward to the chance to play in front of his friends and family.

Saturday will be the first time the Cowboys face the Knights in a finals match, and they have history on their side having won nine of the past 12 match-ups including a 21-20 triumph this year in round 2 when Chad Townsend kicked the winning field goal.

The last time Newcastle beat the Cowboys in Queensland was almost a decade ago in 2015.

Originally published as NRL: Todd Payten’s final word, Kyle Feldt’s last ride and Jake Clifford’s big Cowboys mission