North Queensland can push for NRL premiership, says Gorden Tallis

The arrival of superstar fullback Valentine Holmes and the energy created by the brand new Queensland Country Bank Stadium can drive North Queensland to be genuine contenders, according to Maroons great Gorden Tallis.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 29: Valentine Holmes of the Cowboys warms up before the NRL Trial match between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys at Casey Fields on February 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

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Queensland legend Gorden Tallis has backed the Cowboys to go from cellar dwellers to premiership contenders this year as they gear up for their blockbuster season-opener against the Broncos next week.

North Queensland are under pressure to improve on their past two seasons, where they finished 13th and 14th in back-to-back seasons.

The club has recruited strongly over the off-season, luring superstar fullback Valentine Holmes back from his stint in the NFL, while Kiwi international Esan Marsters has bolstered the Cowboys outside back stocks.

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Valentine Holmes can be a catalyst for the Cowboys. Photo: Mike Owen/Getty Images

The Cowboys have also enjoyed a less distracting pre-season, after the devastating Townsville floods in February last year forced several players and staff to be evacuated from their homes.

Three-time premiership winner and NRL Australian Hall of Famer Gorden Tallis has tipped the North Queensland club to bounce back to their winning ways this season, following two seasons of missing a finals berth.

“The Cowboys will go close to winning it,” Tallis said.

“They’ve got Val Holmes coming back and Esan Marsters is up there now as well.

“(Michael) Morgan’s got his body back. They’ve found a halfback in (Jake) Clifford, plus that (Scott) Drinkwater is good.”

Tallis claimed the club’s new stadium would also be a huge advantage for the home side, kicking off with a blockbuster against the Broncos next week,

The Townsville product said the fact it had a roof and would keep a lot of the noise and atmosphere inside would create North Queensland’s very own “fortress”.

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The new stadium can unite Townsville. Photo: Matt Taylor.

Speaking at The Courier-Mail’s NRL Season Launch on Monday, Cowboys coach Paul Green said the club was incredibly excited to play at the brand new Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“It’s tremendous,” Green said. “It’s very visible. You see it driving through the city now. Everyone is really excited for that first game.”

Tallis was adamant the club should not endure a tumultuous start to the season similar to last year.

“Last year they had Ben Barba (released), Kyle Feldt (groin) and Nene Macdonald (released) ruled out early. They’re the players in your three best positions,” Tallis said.

“The Cowboys should be a bit better this year but, then again, it’s footy.”