Cowboys look within as they aim to build a winning mentality in the squad

NRL player market goes into overdrive over the representative bye weekend, but the Cowboys are set to avoid a spending spree as they consolidate a winning squad.

THE NRL player market is expected to go into overdrive this week as clubs look to finalise their roster for 2022 during the representative bye weekend.

But it is expected to be all quiet on the Northern front, with the Cowboys opting out of a bidding frenzy to instead focus their attention on their current roster.

The Cowboys have already made significant moves this season with the signing of long-term prospect Tom Dearden and premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend on a deal reported to be more than $650,000 a year.

Tom Dearden of the Cowboys runs the ball during the round 15 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The club has also picked up ballplaying Warriors centre Peta Hiku from next season on a two-year deal. Despite being at the back end of a 147-game career, and coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, the Cowboys believe the international representative will add plenty of creativity to their outside backs.

The Cowboys have been linked with Maroons Origin utility Kurt Capewell who appears likely to be squeezed out of premiership favourites Penrith at the end of the season.

North Queensland have been open to the fact they have tabled a deal for the 27-year-old but appear to be in a two-horse race against arch rivals Brisbane, who have begun a clean-out of talent for next season so they can throw the cheque book at the Panthers backrower.

Cowboys backrower Ben Condon was one player who was re-signed to a new deal this season. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The Cowboys have not given up hope on securing Capewell but privately the club has turned its focus to securing the best off-contract talent in their own ranks.

Young winger Murray Taulagi was a key part of the Cowboys mid-year run of form and should be the first player in the firing line along with backrowers Heilum Luki and Shane Wright.

Cowboys’ bosses want to build a winning culture at the club, and a ruthless edge that has been missing since the club’s run of seven straight finals series ended in 2017.

Cowboys head of Football Micheal Luck at the announcement of Cowboys co-captain Michael Morgan's retirement from NRL. Picture: Shae Beplate.

While that starts with putting talented players on the field, it also comes from the club’s ethos of hard work and humility.

“It is about trying to get players with not only talent, but also work ethic and good values, that are willing to put in the work to improve,” Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck said.

“You want to build sides with blokes that have ability but to have sustainable success and a program where every player comes into it on a conveyor belt to play long NRL, you need to build that around pillars. Good people and hard work, competitiveness and character.

“We are not satisfied with where we are at now and we are working tirelessly toward being a winning team because that is what our fans and the North Queensland community deserves.”

Originally published as Cowboys look within as they aim to build a winning mentality in the squad