‘Never want to leave’: Why Reece Robson could be a Cowboy for life

Robson declared he never wants to leave North Queensland – except maybe to pull on a Blues jersey – while Dearden welcomed the return of Townsend. Read the latest from Cowboys HQ.

Reece Robson declared he never wants to leave North Queensland – except maybe to pull on a Blues jersey – as the tough-as-nails hooker turns his attention to the Titans.

Robson becomes a free agent at the end of this season but said he had every intention of remaining a Cowboy.

“I’d love to extend my time here. I love it up here in North Queensland and never want to leave the place,” Robson said.

“You’re always trying to play your best football and you’ve just got to leave the contracts and that sort of stuff up to your managers and the club. I don’t really focus too much on that at this point.”

Robson has been enjoying a career-best season, leading the NRL in dummy half metres (453) and sitting fourth in tackles (346) – just behind teammate Reuben Cotter.

Reece Robson plays for the full 80 minutes almost every game. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

His elite fitness is also on display most weeks, barely slowing down during the 80 minutes. Robson has played all but 10 minutes this season, when he got an earlymark during the round 5 triumph over the Titans.

Robson played games 2 and 3 of last year’s State of Origin series but said he wasn’t expecting to walk into the side again.

“You’re always pretty team focused and how the team going is relatively how you look at yourself,” Robson said.

“You never know with those sides, they get picked and you just try to play your best football for your club until that call comes along.

“If I was to be picked, like I said last year, it was a dream come true and it’s always an honour to be able to pull on that jersey and run out there beside your blue brothers.

“Honestly it’d be a dream come true if it happened again, so I’ve just got to be working hard for the Cows and hopefully we can get our season back up and running and those things come off the back of that.

“If I’m in that side I’ll be ready to go and can’t wait.”

Robson also backed his teammate Scott Drinkwater to make it back into the squad and hopefully earn his Blues debut.

Scott Drinkwater is in the picture for an Origin call-up after being in the squad in 2023. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“He was in the squad last year and he’s a great player,” Robson said.

“There’s a lot of great fullbacks out there and he’s a great player. He’s been doing a great job for us.

“You never know, it’s sort of one of those things where you just try to play the best football you can which he has been and he’s putting his best foot forward, that’s for sure.

“And if that comes, the same opportunity for him, I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands.”

‘He steadies the ship’: Dearden welcomes back veteran halves partner

Tom Dearden believes his Cowboys halves partner Chad Townsend’s absence was a major factor in the team’s disappointing loss to the Dolphins, as North Queensland fights to get its season back on track.

Chad Townsend fends off Jarome Luai during Anzac Round 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery

Dearden said the veteran halfback’s calming influence on the side was sorely missed, and would be a welcome addition on Sunday afternoon when the Cowboys play the Gold Coast.

“Chaddy (Townsend) is our organiser. He directs the team and he’s a very calm voice out there, so it’ll be great to have him back,” Dearden said.

“I know he steadies the ship and that’s what he brings to us. Someone with the experience Chaddy has, he’s very calm and knows what’s required out there. I think that’s where we probably missed him most.”

While Townsend has shouldered much of the kicking duties across the last three seasons, fullback Scott Drinkwater has emerged as a regular fifth-tackle option.

Drinkwater has kicked more than 100m for the last five games, including a season-high 270m against Penrith in round 8 and a memorable 40/20 in round 9.

Scott Drinkwater has shouldered a lot more kicking duties in recent weeks. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Dearden said having the fullback pop up on his edge gave the team more attacking options.

“He’s a left-foot kicker and it’s a lot easier for him to kick down the left-hand side of the field,” Dearden said.

“It’s been good for him to try and take the pressure off Chaddy (Townsend) always doing the kicking, and just put it in a different spot.”

Tom Dearden has welcomed back the inclusion of Chad Townsend. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Outside Dearden on the left wing, Semi Valemei has been acting like a sponge behind the scenes at Cowboys HQ, soaking up every piece of advice he can from injured Queensland winger Murray Taulagi.

Taulagi has been working closely with Valemei “every single day” to help him manage the step back up to the NRL, while the experience of Valentine Holmes at centre has been a reassuring voice from the inside.

“He comes into all the video (sessions), and in our free time when we come and do our own videos and that, he gives me tips on what to do, where to stay, how to do absolutely everything,” Valemei said.

“It’s been good to play alongside Val (Holmes). He’s played 200-plus NRL games and played for Queensland and Australia.

“On the field he tells me what to do and I just listen to what he says. I’ve been focusing on how I’m going to connect with my inside in attack and make sure I stop all the tries if I can.”

The Cowboys play the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 4.05pm.

Originally published as ‘Never want to leave’: Why Reece Robson could be a Cowboy for life