Why Cowboys champion could be kept out of starting side

A line-up reshuffle seems to have unlocked the best out of some of Todd Payten’s men ahead of a vital Queensland derby meeting with the Dolphins. Read what the coach had to say on Friday.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten backed his superstar middle Jason Taumalolo to continue his uptick in form from the interchange when his side faces the Dolphins at home on Saturday night.

The Cowboys mentor declared Taumalolo’s 45-minute showing against the Panthers when he made 27 tackles without a miss and broke three tackles was his best of the season so far.

“I thought he was really, really good for us on the weekend, it was his best game (of the season),” Payten said.

“He made a real impact when he came on, carried the ball well, won a lot of his tackles. It’s something for him to build off which has a real positive impact for our team.”

Coach and captain had similar thoughts on the Cowboys big man, with Reuben Cotter also insisting round 9 was Taumalolo’s best game of 2024.

Payten and Cotter agreed Taumalolo played his best game of the season so far off the interchange. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“He was great last week, I reckon that was his best game,” Cotter said.

“I felt Jase and Tommy (Mikaele) off the bench just brings a lot of energy and they both can carry the ball strong and impact off the bench, and that’s what we need.”

Taumalolo has been North Queensland’s premier forward for the last decade but young gun Griffin Neame’s impressive performance last week as a starter could keep the veteran on the pine for the for the foreseeable future.

Neame has started in just three of his 51 NRL appearances, but Payten said he had a clear pathway to retaining the No.10 jersey with consistent performances.

“I was comfortable and impressed with what he did. I know he was super excited, he was super nervous,” Payten said.

“He moved well, he made some good tackles and he carried the ball strong so it’s something for him to build off.

“If he keeps his head down and bum up, and works and listens to coaches, then he’s got the ability to nail that spot down.”

Payten said Neame could hold down his starting jersey with repeat performances. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Neame said he was initially surprised to be given the starting jersey he is desperate to keep.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, but Toddy (Payten) was happy with the way I was playing,” Neame said.

“I was really excited when he called me, over the moon to be honest, but I’ve got to do my best to try and stay there now.

“I thought I was still quite a while away from that but the fact that he’s given me that is a lot of confidence.”

A near sellout is expected for the 7.35pm game against the Dolphins, with more than 23,000 tickets sold as of Friday morning.

Originally published as Why Cowboys champion could be kept out of starting side