Tom Duffy to make NRL debut for Cowboys

Rookie halfback Tom Duffy will make his NRL debut for the Cowboys on Saturday after winning the race to partner Kangaroos five-eighth Tom Dearden in the halves. FULL TEAM LIST.

Patrick Woods

@PatWoods321

2 min read

March 4, 2025 - 4:07PM

News Sport Network

Rampaging Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo and Tully junior Jake Clifford were both named in the reserves, giving them a small chance of returning from injuries (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Townsville

Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Rookie halfback Tom Duffy will make his NRL debut for the Cowboys on Saturday after winning the race to partner Kangaroos five-eighth Tom Dearden in the halves.

North Queensland’s average age was almost cut in half over summer with the departure of 637 NRL games of experience in Jake Granville, Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes, and Todd Payten has put his faith in generation next to take over.

The Cowboys coach said that what he had seen during the 21-year-old’s two-year apprenticeship in the Queensland Cup had shown him that Duffy was ready for the NRL.

“It’s always a highlight of my job. ‘Duff’ is a terrific kid,” Payten said.

“He’s come through our system, he’s from Townsville – Ignatius Park – great family, and what I like about Duff is how he’s gone about his business.

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

“He’s had a great apprenticeship, he’s spent 50 games in the Q Cup. He hasn’t been in a rush, he’s had the time to develop physically, he’s had the time to develop his game, and he’s ready.

“We saw what he was able to do against the Melbourne Storm last week and through his work in the pre-season. Day after day he’s gone after it and here he is getting his NRL debut.”

Duffy will form a new-look right edge with English backrower John Bateman, Viliami Vailea and Braidon Burns.

Braidon Burns of the Cowboys scores a try during the round 11 NRL match, 2024. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Burns eventually won out the battle to replace Feldt due to his security in defence and safety under the high ball.

“He makes good decisions on the end of the line defensively, and then he catches balls and gets out of our own end pretty well. So safety first, I guess,” Payten said.

“He’s a great communicator, he’s built a good combination there on that right edge so (he’s an) experienced guy who’s good for the group.”

North Queensland’s 2024 Rookie of the Year Jaxon Purdue has been given a start at left centre, where he looked lethal outside Jeremiah Nanai and Dearden in the Cowboys’ last trial match against Melbourne.

Jaxon Purdue for the Cowboys.

“With Zaccy Laybutt’s interrupted pre-season, (Purdue) got the jump there,” Payten said.

“He’s an elite kid, very brave, very good footy IQ and anticipation, he’s quick and he’s good to have in the team.”

Rampaging Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo and Tully junior Jake Clifford were both named in the reserves, giving them a small chance of returning from injuries picked up during the off-season.

Payten said Taumalolo would be given every chance to prove his recovery from a Lisfranc injury.

“He’s had two sessions last week with the team, he’s got another couple sessions this week to prove his fitness to be NRL ready for Manly,” Payten said.

“We’ll see how we go and give him every opportunity to be right.”

The Cowboys plan Manly on Saturday evening at Brookvale, kick-off is at 6.35pm AEST.