‘I’m ready’: Top North Queensland Cowboys prospect Tom Duffy itching for NRL opportunity

North Queensland halfback Tom Duffy has been biding his time in reserve grade, claiming the Northern Pride’s player of the year title in 2024. Now he’s ready to step into the No.7 jersey made famous by Johnathan Thurston.

North Queensland Cowboys player Tom Duffy during pre-season training. Picture: Alix Sweeney / North Queensland Cowboys.

Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy believes he is ready to fulfil his childhood dream and don the No.7 jersey made famous by Johnathan Thurston when the NRL season kicks off in seven weeks.

Duffy has been touted as North Queensland’s top halfback prospect for the past three years, but has been biding his time in the Queensland Cup where he starred for the Northern Pride in 2024.

The Townsville junior claimed the Pride’s player of the year award and was crowned the competition’s best halfback and top pointscorer.

Now he’s ready for the next step in his evolution as an NRL debut beckons.

“It’s something I’ve been working to for pretty much my whole life now, it’s been a dream of mine,” Duffy said.

North Queensland Cowboys player Tom Duffy during pre-season training. Picture: Alix Sweeney / North Queensland Cowboys.

“Everything I can do, I’ve been doing, and I’m really looking forward to the trial game to put my best foot forward.

“I think I had a really good, strong year in Cup last year playing against men.

“Every game as a half you can play (the better). The best halves are 30 years old because of their experience, and I’ve got a lot of experience over the last two years.

“I haven’t missed a game in two seasons, so I’ve got a lot of experience and I think I can take that into the NRL now. I’m ready.”

Duffy is locked in a three-way battle to replace Chad Townsend as the Cowboys’ first-choice halfback, and the 21-year-old’s chances got a massive boost this week with Jake Clifford undergoing minor surgery on a hernia.

The North Queensland Cowboys have visited Cairns to launch their 30th anniversary jersey, which will be worn for the 2025 NRL season. North Queensland Cowboys player Jake Clifford launches the club's 30 year jersey at the Cairns Esplanade lagoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

With centre Zac Laybutt still nursing his ACL and expected to be eased back into action via the Queensland Cup, Jaxon Purdue and Duffy could both find themselves in the starting team come round 1.

Duffy said he had been working on his combinations and kicking game to be ready for his impending debut.

“I’m getting some good combos with a lot of different people. We’re changing week-to-week so really trying to develop some combos I like,” Duffy said.

“My focus is just getting the team around the park. Being that loud voice – that’s the job of a halfback.

“As well as that, just kicking to corners and making sure we give our team every opportunity to attack. We’ve been working really hard on winning the field position, and my job in that is kicking high to corners and making sure the boys know they’re doing a good job when we’re winning that battle.”

Duffy revealed Cowboys legend Thurston had been helping him with his goalkicking during the pre-season.

Northern Pride kicker Tom Duffy launches a conversion through the goals in their Hostplus Cup match against Central Queensland Capras at Barlow Park. Picture: Emily Barker

“We’ve had ‘Johnno’ (Thurston) in here as well doing a bit of work with us, so just picking his brain and getting little tips off him – where he sets up for his kicks, where he wants to aim, who he wants to target,” Duffy said.

“I’m constantly working on and improving my game there.”

North Queensland’s goalkicking role is up for grabs after Valentine Holmes and Townsend departed the club and Duffy has emerged as a frontrunner to take the job.

“We’ve got me, Drinky (Scott Drinkwater), and Zac Laybutt is great off the boot as well (but) he’s injured at the moment,” Duffy said.

“So there are a few of us there and we’re all just trying to get the reps in at this point in pre-season.”

The Cowboys are in Tinaroo this weekend for a training camp and community engagement in Atherton.

Originally published as ‘I’m ready’: Top North Queensland Cowboys prospect Tom Duffy itching for NRL opportunity