Top 5 NRL SuperCoach moneymakers at the North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys forward pack has become a treasure trove of potential SuperCoach moneymakers following the heartbreaking loss of fan-favourite Coen Hess. See our top five picks.

The Cowboys forward pack has become a treasure trove of potential SuperCoach moneymakers following the heartbreaking loss of fan-favourite Coen Hess.

Hess (ACL) is likely to miss the entire season, joining prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (achilles) in the club’s injury ward.

‘JTB’ is expected to return mid-season but achilles injuries are notoriously hard to recover from, especially for big units such as the 111kg prop.

The third missing piece of the puzzle is Dragons recruit Luciano Leilua, who leaves a barnstorming hole in the Cowboys line-up.

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But with every individual disappointment comes an opportunity for North Queensland’s depth to rise to the occasion.

And in the brutal game of rugby league, bench players are always just one injury away from being a starter.

These are the Cowboys’ top five potential SuperCoach moneymakers.

THOMAS MIKAELE (FRF, $238,900)

With a stunningly low price tag and injuries to Coen Hess and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Mikaele has catapulted up the popularity charts to become North Queensland’s fourth-most owned player.

Thomas Mikaele’s offloading ability gives him the potential to add attacking stats to his solid forward base. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The bullocking prop forward is set to warm the interchange alongside Jake Granville and Griffin Neame as part of the middle rotation – with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki tipped to round out the 17.

Mikaele’s offloading ability gives him the potential to add attacking stats to his solid forward base, and depending on minutes the former Gold Coast Titan could see a large price rise.

KULIKEFU FINEFEUIAKI (2RF, $292,700)

Finefeuiaki could well be classed as undervalued following Luciano Leilua’s departure from the Cowboys.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is set to be the Cowboys’ third-choice backrower behind Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The dynamo 20-year-old carries the ball with intent and is sure to cause defenders nightmares when injected into the game.

North Queensland have deployed a fresh offensive shape in the pre-season, giving the edge forward more time and space with the ball and that could also help unlock Finefeuiaki’s outside players.

The former Queensland Maroons under-19s rep has great hands – the only question mark that hovers over Finefeuiaki is how many minutes Todd Payten gives him.

SAM MCINTYRE (2RF, $238,900)

Another benefactor of the Cowboys’ forward injury woes. McIntyre has been turning heads all pre-season for his relentless work ethic and desire to be picked.

Currently less than 1 per cent of SuperCoach owners have Canberra-born prop Sam McIntyre in their side, meaning he could be a decent POD. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

McIntyre could find himself with a round 1 spot on the interchange depending on what Payten sees in the lead up to next Tuesday, but even if he misses out against the Dolphins he is very close to first grade selection.

Currently less than 1 per cent of SuperCoach owners have the Canberra-born prop in their side, meaning he could be a decent POD.

ZAC LAYBUTT (CTW, $465,600)

Laybutt is out of the realms of true “cheapies” but after locking down the right centre position he’s due for some great price rises in the early rounds of the season.

PNG Kumul Zac Laybutt has a deadly strike rate – three tries in four NRL games, and two tries in three internationals. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The PNG Kumul has a deadly strike rate – three tries in four NRL games, and two tries in three internationals – and has been given the nod to line up outside Chad Townsend and Jeremiah Nanai with the club’s second-greatest tryscorer Kyle Feldt on the outside.

Laybutt is also a handy goalkicker, but it is unlikely he is given many shots at goal with sharpshooter Valentine Holmes in the side.

GRIFFIN NEAME (FRF, $436,600)

Griffin Neame is a certainty to be in the Cowboys 17 and with recent injury woes he could see an even bigger role than initially expected. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Neame is flying under the SuperCoach radar – at least as much as a 193cm redhead can avoid being noticed.

Just 358 managers, or 0.3 per cent, own the fearsome Cowboys brute.

The Kiwi young gun had a breakout year in 2023, capped off by sidestepping Nicho Hynes to give New Zealand their greatest ever test victory over Australia: a 30-0 hiding in Hamilton.

Neame is a certainty to be in the Cowboys 17 and with recent injury woes he could see an even bigger role than initially expected.

At 22, Neame is on a trajectory to become one of rugby league’s best middles and that talent should translate into SuperCoach success this year.

Originally published as Top 5 NRL SuperCoach moneymakers at the North Queensland Cowboys