Todd Payten responds to ultimatum, provides updates on Jake Clifford and Tom Duffy

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has responded to his “final warning” from the NRL for his criticism of referees, while providing an update on Jake Clifford and Tom Duffy’s future with the club.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten conceded he could have chosen a better way to raise his concerns with the standard of refereeing in round 10 after being delivered a “final warning” from the NRL for his “repeated and consistent” criticism of match officials.

The NRL would have been especially incensed by Payten’s implication that his concerns would fall on deaf ears when he said the governing body’s typical response was “just white noise”.

But after delivering his brutal assessment of the state of the game, the Cowboys mentor said the club had been in positive discussions this week with the NRL.

“I got a final warning yesterday. I’ll acknowledge that my language at different points could have been better, and the message is loud and clear. I’ll be better,” Payten said.

“Our club has had several conversations with the NRL, and to be fair, it’s probably better communication we’ve had back and forth this week than any other week.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten walks from the field before the start of the round eight NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on April 26, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“They’ve heard our concerns and frustrations, things that have heightened it at different times, and we’ve got a bit of an explanation on different things.

“So from that point of view, I think it’s been a good outcome for the club. Now it’s my time to make sure that I don’t dig us into a hole.”

North Queensland made the bold decision to move 19-year-old livewire Jaxon Purdue into the halves this week, making a clear indication of the club’s vision for the future.

Jaxon Purdue of the Cowboys runs the ball during the round 10 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on May 10, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Payten said there were a few factors behind his decision, including giving Purdue the chance to get comfortable in the spine before potentially having to lead the team in round 15 when the Cowboys will be without any Origin players.

“It was always our long-term plan to have Jaxon as our five-eighth or halfback within the club moving forward,” Payten said.

“It was just managing the right time to make that decision. I made the decision the weekend just gone.

“Given that Origin is coming up, I wanted Jaxon to feel comfortable before getting to that period. He’s also playing at home here. He’s also got the best pieces of our puzzle around him.

“So there’s many things taken into consideration for that decision and I’m really excited about his opportunity.”

The move is a gut-punch for rookie halfback Tom Duffy, 21, who started the season in the No.7 jersey before Jake Clifford returned to the side in round 3.

Tom Duffy of the Cowboys runs with the ball during the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge match between Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys at Casey Fields on February 23, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

With Clifford and Duffy both off contract at the end of the season, Payten said the club had been having honest conversations with both halves about their futures in North Queensland.

“We’ve got a full season to play here. I’m not going to say one way or another what our intentions or what (Duffy’s) intentions are, but it’s an ongoing conversation with complete clarity, not just for him, but for Jake (Clifford),” Payten said.

Payten said it was still not clear which of his depth players would be a better halves partner for Purdue.

“That’s something I don’t have to worry about until five weeks’ time,” he said.

“We’ll have no Origin players for the Dolphins game, which is five weeks away.

“We’ve seen what both of those can do. I’ve got a high opinion of both of them. It’s about, for them, playing well and making the decision for me.”

The Cowboys host the Sea Eagles on Saturday, May 17. Kick-off is at 5.30pm.

Originally published as Todd Payten responds to ultimatum, provides updates on Jake Clifford and Tom Duffy