Rabid North Queensland Cowboys fan to Rookie of the Year: Jaxon Purdue’s incredible 12 months

To say the last 12 months has been a meteoric rise for Jaxon Purdue would be a huge understatement. Read how the kid from Mackay went from Cowboys superfan to NRL player in less than a year.

Jaxon Purdue runs the ball during the round 24 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Canberra Raiders at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on August 17, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Last year, Jaxon Purdue would race home from school on Friday nights to sit down with his parents and watch the Cowboys play.

On Monday night he was crowned the club’s best rookie of the season.

To say the last 12 months has been a meteoric rise for North Queensland’s teenage talent would be a huge understatement.

Purdue said he could hardly believe it when his name was called out.

“Crazy feeling, I’m very grateful that I got the award,” Purdue said.

Jaxon Purdue at the North QLD Cowboys 2024 Awards Presentation Night. 30/09/2024. Photo: Michael Chambers.

“I was just looking at that trophy then and there are some good names on that award so I’m pleased to be alongside that group.

“Last year if it was a Friday night game I’d race home from school to watch the Cowboys play. Me, mum and dad would sit down on the couch and yell at the TV, so when you think about that it’s crazy.

“It gives me goosebumps to think that I played a game this year – or a few games – and I was just lucky enough for Todd (Payten) to put the trust in me.”

This time last year the now 19-year-old schoolboy sensation had just led St Patrick’s College, Mackay, to Aaron Payne Cup glory and was plotting his way into the Mackay Cutters’ Mal Meninga Cup (U19s) squad.

This time last year, Jaxon Purdue had just led St Patrick’s College, Mackay, to Aaron Payne Cup glory and was plotting his way into the Mackay Cutters’ Mal Meninga Cup (U19s) squad. Picture: Michaela Harlow

But it didn’t take long for the Cowboys to take notice of the rising star’s elite fitness and freakish ability during pre-season, quickly elevating him up the pecking order leading to a club debut during a trial match against the Broncos in his hometown.

The livewire halfback announced himself onto the big stage with an eye-catching length of the field try in the late stages of the game.

Purdue would go on to make eight NRL appearances over the course of the season with a memorable matchwinning try against the Bulldogs just days before his 19th birthday a clear highlight.

“The trial game earlier this season was definitely a highlight, and obviously my debut was a massive highlight and getting that win against the Roosters,” Purdue said.

Jaxon Purdue scores the matchwinning try for the North Queensland Cowboys against Canterbury Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Then probably my first home game against the Bulldogs was a great game, I loved that game.”

He said the experience of suiting up to play and sitting on the sidelines during North Queensland’s unsuccessful elimination final against the Sharks made him hungry for more playoff games in 2025

“To see the hype around that game and seeing all the boys – how they prepped and got ready for that game – it was probably a good learning curve for me so I know what happens in those games,” Purdue said.

“I’ve got to have a big pre-season and there’s a lot of people fighting for them jerseys.

“I need to rip in and do my best. When I get the opportunity to play, just stay consistent and keep doing extras and improving what I have to improve on.”

Originally published as Rabid North Queensland Cowboys fan to Rookie of the Year: Jaxon Purdue’s incredible 12 months