Northern Pride halfback eyes Cowboys 2025 debut after breakout year

Northern Pride halfback Tom Duffy has wrapped up an exceptional year by claiming the clubs Player of the Year at the awards night.

Tom Duffy of the Northern Pride in action on Saturday at Barlow Park. Picture Emily Barker.

Northern Pride halfback Tom Duffy has wrapped up an exceptional year by claiming the clubs Player of the Year at the awards night.

Duffy had a breakout year for the Pride, playing in all 22 games this season, helping them to a preliminary final.

The 21-year-old finished with the most try assists (33), line break assists (20), points (216) and goals (98) across the competition in 2024.

Duffy said it was a pretty big honour to win the award.

“It was a great awards night, Brothers did a great job there,” Duffy said.

“Smithy (coach Eric Smith) had some really nice words to say which gives me a lot of confidence, he has been a great coach and he has backed me all year.

“So very happy to get that award but I can’t get that if the team around me isn’t doing well, very grateful and humbled.

Thomas Duffy in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Western Clydesdales, held at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I had a pretty inconsistent year last year, so I went away during the off season and got fitter and it definitely helps with making decisions during games.

“When we are going back and forth with teams, you need someone to stand up when things are getting tough and I thought majority of the year I was there in those moments.

“And that is what a good halfback does, so I have to take that with me into next year and keep standing up in those big moments.”

Duffy made the move from the Blackhawks at the end of 2023 where he played in 20 games, kicking 71 goals for 154 points.

After a strong pre-season, Duffy’s focus will be to take that next step to an NRL contract for the North Queensland Cowboys.

“I have done my apprenticeship you could say at Q-Cup and I feel like I have got a lot of experience from that,” Duffy said.

“I am definitely ready to take that next step and to show the coaching staff in this pre-season that I am their guy and I want to be going for that spot.

“The boys had a great year together this year, they strung together some really consistent footy games.

“As a group we are working out what type of style we want to play and I think we have got that style, we just need to be a bit better at it at the bigger moments.

“I felt like we let it slip at times in those games but I would be extremely grateful to get the opportunity to play with those boys.

“I have been training with them for two years, I am just itching to get out there and get cracking and take that opportunity with both hands.”

Growing up in Townsville, Duffy believes there is a lot of talent coming through the junior pathways in North Queensland.

“I came through the Blackhawks pathways and they helped me and then it sort of streamlined into the young guns pathways to Cows,” Duffy said.

“It’s a bit of a different format now however with no under-21s comp for QRL.

“It will be interesting to see how that plays out for the development of the young fellas.

“I think the Cowboys are in a really good spot with the Pride and the Cutters as well at the moment where they are bringing young talent through

“That's the goal to keep local talent here and I am in the same boat, I want to stay here, I am a local and I will try to do anything I can to get that spot and have a career here.”

Originally published as Northern Pride halfback eyes Cowboys 2025 debut after breakout year