Fit and firing Valentine Holmes begins Cowboys journey

The sight of Valentine Holmes in Cowboys gear ensures North Queensland supporters can gaze upon images of Friday’s training session with plenty of comfort with the star recruit’s arrival.

Valentine Holmes at his first North Queensland Cowboys training session. Picture: NQ Cowboys

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Here is the photo Cowboys fans have been waiting a year to see.

Star recruit Valentine Holmes hit the training paddock in Townsville on Friday for the first time in North Queensland colours.

Holmes underwent fitness testing with Cowboys staff and completed drills with his new teammates.

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Valentine Holmes at his first North Queensland Cowboys training session. Picture: NQ Cowboys

The Queensland Origin star signed a six-year deal with the Cowboys last Sunday after returning from a stint in the NFL with the New York Jets.

Holmes, 24, didn’t play a competition game for the Jets, but was on the team’s practice squad and remained in shape.

Holmes was put through fitness tests at his new club. Picture: NQ Cowboys

Holmes shocked the NRL in November last year when he sought a release from Cronulla to embark on an NFL mission.

It was widely-believed he would return to North Queensland when he finished chasing his NFL dream, but it has been an anxious wait for Cowboys fans.

Holmes will play fullback for North Queensland next year as the Cowboys attempt to bounce back from a dismal 14th-placed finish in 2019.