Why North Queensland Cowboys axed captain: Ricky Henry’s message for Kirra Dibb

Cowboys coach Ricky Henry has declared no one in his team’s position is safe after sensationally dropping co-captain Kirra Dibb. Find out why one of the team’s biggest names is riding the pine again this week.

Cowboys coach Ricky Henry has declared no one in his team’s position is safe after sensationally dropping co-captain Kirra Dibb ahead of last week’s battle with Cronulla at Shark Park.

Dibb was a late omission, but Henry revealed after the match that it was always his plan to start Tahlulah Tillett in the halves for the vital clash.

The skipper’s exclusion was shrouded in mystery until Henry revealed on Friday that it was a message for the entire squad.

“I think it’s a message for the whole group. We’ve got competition and everyone should be striving to play their best,” Henry said.

“If you’re off your game you give someone else an opportunity and they take it, then you’ve got to line back up and try to get back in there.

Kirra Dibb of the Cowboys passes the ball during the round one NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on July 05, 2025, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“So not just a message for Kirra, it’s a message for our whole squad and I’m really proud of where they’re at and what they’re doing. But we want competition and we want to get the best out of every player.”

Tillett was pivotal to victory in round 3, setting up two tries and creating two linebreaks, while shouldering almost all of the kicking duties.

Henry said the 26-year-old Cairns Kangaroos junior did more than enough to hold her spot for Saturday’s clash with Canberra, but reiterated that Dibb was still in the selection picture.

Tahlulah Tillett of the Cowboys looks on before the start of the round seven NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“There’s a three-way battle there – Rosie (Kelly), Kirra (Dibb) and Tahlulah (Tillett) – and I thought Tahlulah really stepped up last week, she showed the way and set up a few tries there for us and organised really well,” Henry said.

“So for me, it’s about her playing her natural game and getting the team around her and getting us around the park. That’s probably the key message for her, and again, enjoying herself.

“We needed a bit of direction and she gave it to us. Losing Jakiya (Whitfeld) wasn’t helpful as well, but Tahlulah stepped up there and I was really proud of what she did.

“She trained really well during the week as well, so it was a reward for her preparation and she went out there and iced a few moments for us.”

The Cowboys take on the Raiders on Saturday, July 26, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.15pm.

Originally published as Why North Queensland Cowboys axed captain: Ricky Henry’s message for Kirra Dibb