Maughan swaps allegiances after a single phone call

CODY Maughan’s fascination with the Broncos started at a young age, as he grew up he dreamed of playing in the same jersey as Darren Lockyer.

GOING PLACES: Cody Maughan has signed with North Queensland u/20 s. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail. Picture: Mike Knott

CODY Maughan's fascination with the Brisbane Broncos started at a young age, as the young centre grew up he dreamed of playing in the same jersey as Darren Lockyer and Justin Hodges made famous.

Through thick and thin Maughan, 17, backed the Broncos, supporting them in the good times and defending them in the lean.

Cody Maughan was a big Broncos fan when he was ten yeras old. Photo: contributed. Picture: contributed

The call changed Maughan's fashion style because Bartlett rang to let him know he had been offered a contract with the North Queensland Cowboys Under-20 team.

"I got the call from my manager and he was letting me know I had to go down there on Tuesday the following week - so I sort of had to stop (celebrating)," Maughan said.

"I was excited, a bit nervous and I didn't know what it was going to be like."

Maughan was introduced to the high-profile names in and around the NRL quickly with former Cowboys stars Michael Luck and Aaron Payne talking him through his contract.

And the quick introduction to famous faces didn't stop there. After playing the season with men who are known in Bundaberg like Rhys Neil and Andrew Mason, Maughan is still getting used to seeing Johnathan Thurston at the gym and Matthew Scott on the training paddock.

The 2014 Bundaberg Rugby League season was Maughan's first in A-grade and he made his debut in round four on April 26 in Easts 16-all draw with Hervey Bay and he said the biggest thrill of a highlight-packed year was playing in the same team as his brother, Reece.

Maughan worked hard to put on 10kg this year to cope with the rigors of A-grade rugby league, which was just as well because his first day at the Cowboys' base was a step up on what he had done.

After driving from Bundaberg to Townsville Maughan was thrown a bag of training gear and asked to get into the gym for a weights and cardio session.

"I drove 12 hours and they chucked me my gear and said put it on," he said.

"(I went) straight into the gym and I nearly spewed five times. I'm already a lot fitter now and I've dropped three kilos."

Maughan's dream is to play in the NRL and he will start the journey in the U20 competition, he knows there is plenty of hard work to be done but is glad he is with the Cowboys as his career builds.