Todd Payten hints at Cowboys’ plan to exploit the Parramatta Eels’ greatest weakness

Incoming centre Tom Chester could be in for a field day against the Eels after Cowboys coach Todd Payten revealed the likely focal point of North Queensland’s attack. Read his game plan.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten looks on during the round five NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on April 07, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Incoming centre Tom Chester could be in for a field day on the right edge after Cowboys coach Todd Payten revealed the likely focal point of North Queensland’s attack when they face Parramatta on Saturday afternoon.

Payten said he would look to test out the Eels’ new-look left edge made up of Dylan Brown, Shaun Lane, Morgan Harper and Bailey Simonsson.

“We spoke about one of their edges being almost a new edge and they would have had minimal reps, I reckon, over the pre-season period as a group of four,” Payten said.

“But they have a system and we want to test them out. But again, we need to get what we do right, and that’s how we’re going to put pressure on the opposition.”

That attacking focus could pay dividends for 22-year-old Tom Chester, who steps into the side after breakout rookie Zac Laybutt suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

NQ Cowboys training at Cowboys HQ at the Hutchinson Builders Centre. Tom Chester. Picture: Evan Morgan

Payten backed Chester to seamlessly slot into the side.

“Tommy is a bundle of energy, he throws his whole body into everything whether he’s carrying the ball or making a tackle,” Payten said.

“He went really well for us against the Dragons, had to handle Moses Suli and (Saturday) night is a great opportunity for him.

“I know he’s super excited and the players love playing with him, so I can’t wait for him to get out there and he’s got a great opportunity moving forward playing right centre.”

Luciano Leilua of the Dragons is tackled by Tom Chester. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Chester admitted it was a “bittersweet” feeling coming into the side to replace his good friend Laybutt.

“Seeing one of your best mates get hurt is not the way you really want to come into a side but I’m definitely going to take the opportunity and I’m happy I got the call up,” Chester said.

“I’ve played a lot of different positions, so it’s just doing my role. I’ll just have to make sure I’m aggressive in D (and) stick to my strengths which is my speed, running hard, taking people on one-on-one and just doing what I’m good at.”

Zac Laybutt of the Cowboys comes form the field after being injured during round five. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Payten spoke to Laybutt on Friday morning and said the rookie sensation was still coming to terms with his unfortunate situation.

“I spoke to him (Laybutt) this morning (Friday), he was pretty flat. But he’s also pragmatic about what’s ahead of him, he’s had an ACL on the other knee a few years back,” Payten said.

“He’s going to get surgery two weeks today, he’s going to take a little bit of time off after that to visit home and look after his knee, and then we spoke a bit about study and what that next six month period looks like for him.

“He seems pretty motivated but I’ve got to say he’s a little bit down in the dumps, which I can understand.”

The Cowboys were afforded a “short and very light” week at training to recover from the weekend’s stifling conditions during their game against the Gold Coast.

Payten said that his staff had taken into account the vast amount of travel making two return trips to Sydney over the next fortnight.

“So (we have) one eye on this weekend and then one eye on next week. There’s been minimal collisions at training, the distance (ran) wasn’t large, in the hope to freshen them up to be ready to go,” Payten said.

“It’s a long season. It’s round 6 and I mentioned how tough the conditions were on the weekend. I’m always mindful around energy and how they’re feeling from day to day and the scores or the GPS data from the weekend were at the top end of hard work.”

North Queensland take on Parramatta at 5.30pm Saturday.

Originally published as Todd Payten hints at Cowboys’ plan to exploit the Parramatta Eels’ greatest weakness