18-year-old Jaxon Purdue to line up for Cowboys in NRL trial match against Broncos

One of Mackay’s brightest rugby league talents is set to take a giant step towards realising his dream this weekend. Why the Cowboys coach is so excited by the prospect.

St Pat's Jaxon Purdue during the 2023 Phil Hall Cup final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Todd Payten likes what he sees in 18-year-old playmaker Jaxon Purdue.

The Mackay product - who has spent one day a week training with the Cowboys NRL squad - has impressed the senior coach over the course of the pre-season.

So much so he’s been included in the 22-man squad for North Queensland’s trial match against the Brisbane Broncos at Mackay’s BB Print Stadium on Sunday.

“He’s a fit half, he plays on the ball,” said Payten to Cowboys Media following his selection of the St Patrick’s College product.

“He competes really hard, he’s got a great skillset as a half, he’s quick, and he’s brave, the things I like in a half.

“We see him potentially being at our club for a long time.”

Todd Payten is excited by Mackay teen Jaxon Purdue. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Purdue said he was “shocked” when he found out he’d been selected to run out in front of his home crowd.

It was assistant coach Ben Rauter who broke the selection news.

“A few hours later Todd (Payten) called me into his office,” Purdue said.

“I had a chat to him and he said he’s happy with how I’ve been training and he’s confident in me to do the job.

Jaxon Purdue in action for St Patrick’s College. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to be playing a trial game.”

Purdue attributed his rise to trial match selection to his willingness to compete.

“I came into the pre-season and wanted to be the fittest I could be,” he said.

“I’ve nailed that and my fitness is where it needs to be as a half and as a spine player.

“Early wake ups every day, coming in and getting flogged in fitness, it’s really helped me this year.”

A childhood Cowboys fan, Purdue recalls the moment Johnathan Thurston’s conversion handed North Queensland the 2015 premiership.

Playing his first match in the colours he already bleeds in the town which has shaped him makes it all the more special.

Jake Clifford will captain the Cowboys trial squad. Picture: Alix Sweeney / North Queensland Cowboys.

“It’s always been a dream to play for the Cowboys one day and pull on that jersey and debut for them,” Purdue said.

“It gives me goosebumps just talking about it. I’ll definitely be very nervous.”

He believes an early touch and run with the footy will be central to keeping those nerves at bay.

“I’m very excited to see how the physicality and game speed is, because it’s going to be very different to what I’m used to,” he added.

“It’s good to know I’ve been working hard this pre-season and they’re going to give me a chance to show what strengths I have.”

Mackay Cutter Sean Mullany, who has been a mainstay since he joined the club in 2021, is also set to start at hooker for the Cowboys.

Mullany has been one of five Cutters afforded the opportunity to train with the Cowboys throughout the pre-season under North Queensland’s reinvigorated partnership with the Hostplus side.

Mackay Cutters talent Sean Mullany is set to make a trial match appearance as hooker for the Cowboys. Picture:Michaela Harlow

Purdue, alongside Mullany, has cherished the experience of rubbing shoulders with some of the NRL’s best.

“It’s pretty cool rocking up and training with everyone you idolise,” Purdue said.

“All the boys are so good to you and they teach you so much, I’ve learnt heaps already.”

He described newly minted co-captain and fellow Mackay product Tom Dearden as a “real hero”.

“I look up to him a lot, as soon as I come to training he’s always the first one to say hello,” Purdue said.

“It’s the same with Reuben (Cotter), they’re gonna be great captains this year for the club. Anyone that’s young that comes into the team, they look after them.

“Same with Chad Townsend and Scott Drinkwater. The whole spine just look after me and tell me what to do better and what I need to focus on.

“That’s a really big help for me.”