The Paul Green advice that delivered North Queensland its greatest ever NRL winger, Kyle Feldt

Kyle Feldt was in and out of the NRL until the late Paul Green delivered him a reality check that turned his rugby league career around. Read what Feldt had to say as he called an end to his time at the Cowboys.

Cowboys veteran Kyle Feldt announces he is leaving the club at the end of the 2024 season. Picture: Alix Sweeney / Cowboys

The man who delivered North Queensland its inaugural NRL premiership will depart his childhood club after almost two decades as a Cowboy.

An emotional Kyle Feldt delivered the news on Monday that this season would be his last in Cowboys colours, joining outgoing stalwart Jake Granville as the latest life member to leave the club.

However the veteran winger will not be hanging up his boots just yet with an announcement regarding his playing future expected later this week.

“I haven’t finalised exactly where I’m going, but I do know that 2024 is my last year as a Cowboy,” Feldt said on Monday.

“It’s been an unreal 11 years as an NRL player. I’ve been part of the club since I was 15 so it’s a very dear club to my heart.

Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys celebrates after scoring a try. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it’s the right decision to finally move on.”

Born in Townsville, Feldt always wanted to play for North Queensland.

Initially scouted by Cowboy No.26 Peter Jones, Feldt said he drifted in and out of the top squad until premiership-winning coach Paul Green dealt him a much-needed reality check in 2015.

Head Coach Paul Green, Kyle Feldt, Justin O'Neill, Johnathan Thurston, training at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville ahead of their finals match against the Melbourne Storm. Picture: Wesley Monts

“He was the longest tenure coach I’ve had at this club and I’ve achieved a lot of things under him, and not only at the club, but outside as well,” Feldt said about his former mentor.

“He really progressed my football career in the right direction. I was in and out of the NRL for such a long time, and then he pulled me aside when he was coaching his second year and just said, ‘you need to pull your head in, and you’re going to be a great NRL player if you take things seriously’.

“Finally, the penny dropped when I was 24 or 25, and 200-odd games later I’ve decided to make something out of myself.”

NRL; North Queensland Cowboys Awards Night 2018. Coach's Award. Kyle Feldt presented by Coach Paul Green. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Feldt has played 213 NRL matches for the Cowboys since his 2013 debut, scoring 146 tries so far to sit atop the club’s tryscoring charts.

He said it was an honour to hold such a prestigious record, and one that he hoped would never be beaten.

“Looking back at it now, it’s a pretty cool record to have, and it’s something that hopefully will stand for a long time. The only person that’ll probably get close is Jeremiah (Nanai),” Feldt said.

“One (memory) that I hold dear to my heart is probably my debut. I was very fortunate enough to make the debut at home back at 1300 SMILES Stadium.

“I remember as a kid going there and watching Thumper (Matt Scott), Paul Bowman, Matty Bowen and Reggie Creswell back in the day.

Kurt Capewell, Kyle Feldt and Paul Green. The Queensland Sate of Origin team trains at Country Bank Stadium ahead of the first game being held in Townsville, 2021. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“To be able to be a Townsville kid, to come through the ranks and finally make his debut at home – especially that field that the Cowboys have a rich history at – that’s something that I’ll definitely hold close and dear to my heart.

“I know now driving past it, it’s not there anymore but I still have fond memories of running out in front of my family and my friends.

“That’s something that I’ll always look back on and think of as such a great time that I’ve had to be able to do exactly what I love for so long.”

Feldt and Granville will both be celebrated during the Cowboys Thursday night match against the Storm.

Granville will be interviewed before the game and undertake a lap of honour from 7.30pm, while Feldt will be interviewed and conduct a lap of honour after the game.

“It’s a bittersweet moment for the club and hopefully all the fans get out there and give us – not only me, but Jake – the send-off that he deserves,” Feldt said.

“Jake has given the whole city his body for so many years, and the least they could do is give it back to him for one game and send him off.”

Originally published as The Paul Green advice that delivered North Queensland its greatest ever NRL winger, Kyle Feldt