Tom Duffy tipped to make round one debut for North Queensland Cowboys

Tom Duffy may be an NRL rookie but the young playmaker is primed for the big time thanks to a patient approach by North Queensland – and some words of wisdom from a legend.

The Cowboys are hoping to emulate Melbourne’s Harry Grant-style development plan to ensure Tom Duffy is North Queensland’s most successful long-term halfback since Johnathan Thurston.

Duffy has declared he is ready for the big time, with the 21-year-old rocketing into the mix to win his NRL debut in the coveted No.7 jumper for the Cowboys’ round 1 clash against Manly.

Premiership veteran Chad Townsend’s move to the Roosters has triggered a three-way battle for the Cowboys halfback spot with coach Todd Payten closely watching Duffy, Jake Clifford and Jaxon Purdue.

Clifford unseated Townsend to finish the 2024 finals series as North Queensland’s first-choice No.7, but minor hernia surgery in January has opened the door for the highly-rated Duffy to start the 2025 premiership.

It is understood Duffy will be rested for the Cowboys’ trial against the Dolphins this Friday in Cairns with a view to him starting against big guns Melbourne on Sunday week.

Tom Duffy of the Cowboys.

A showdown with the 2024 grand finalists will be the perfect audition for Duffy against the Melbourne juggernaut which has given the Cowboys a blueprint on how to develop a rising star in the spine.

“We can’t be happier with Tom, he has taken every step so far,” said Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck.

“He has progressed the way we have planned and it’s a similar type of trajectory that Harry Grant (Storm hooker and skipper) had with Melbourne.

“There’s been no rush with Tom.

“Melbourne were patient with Harry (blooding him for three seasons with Hostplus Cup feeder club Sunshine Coast) and we have made sure Tom has learned from players in front of him who were experienced first graders.

“He has done things really well in pre-season.”

Duffy believes his time is now.

The Townsville junior has served his apprenticeship with 42 appearances over the past two years in the Hostplus Cup and was a revelation in Northern Pride’s charge to the minor premiership last season.

The cool-headed playmaker finished as the Hostplus Cup’s leading pointscorer (216) and led the league for most try assists (33) and line-break assists (20), underscoring his ability to run an offence.

With Clifford, 27, racing the clock to prove his fitness, Duffy is keen to step up and partner Tom Dearden in the halves for the Cowboys’ season opener at 4 Pines Park on March 8.

“I definitely feel ready,” Duffy said.

“I feel I have done my time in the Queensland Cup and I’m ready for the next step in the NRL.

“That would mean the world to me.”

Duffy was named halfback of the year in the Hostplus Cup last season and Luck says the former Australian Schoolboys star won’t be fazed by the pressure of NRL shot-calling.

“Tom is a very intelligent young man,” Luck said.

“He watches a lot of footy, he watches his own game and the other good halves in the competition.

“He had the luxury of watching Chad Townsend the last few years at our club and Chad is a very good directing halfback.

“Chad wasn’t as dynamic as other playmakers, but he made other people around him better and that’s how Tom Duffy should play the game.

“Todd has a certain way he wants our halfbacks to play and Tom kicks well and organises the team well when we’ve got the footy.

“We have the trial period to look at how he and ‘Cliffo’ will go

“It’s a good dilemma for Toddy to have a couple of genuine options he can pick at halfback for round 1.”

Originally published as Tom Duffy tipped to make round one debut for North Queensland Cowboys