Jake Granville 2.0: Cowboys’ Swiss Army knife Tom Chester ready for key role

The Cowboys have extended the contract of a versatile playmaker who shapes as the natural heir to beloved utility Jake Granville. Read which Cowboy is in for a massive 2024:

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Tom Chester of the Cowboys gestures during the round three NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors at Qld Country Bank Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

North Queensland young gun Tom Chester is gearing up to follow in the footsteps of Jake Granville and become the ultimate NRL Swiss Army knife utility after signing a contract extension with the Cowboys.

North Queensland showed its faith in the Townsville junior this week, backing the 22-year-old Chester to overcome a rotten run of injuries to make his mark in the NRL.

In three seasons with the club Chester has suffered shoulder and ankle injuries before a devastating ACL tear this year cut short his breakout season after seven games.

With his return to full fitness around the corner, Chester declared it would be “pretty cool” to follow in the footsteps of rugby league’s most versatile player Granville and earn his place in the team in whatever position he is needed.

Granville, North Queensland’s premiership-winning hooker has spent time at fullback, centre, prop, lock, second-row and half over his career and will be the second oldest player in the competition entering his age 35 season.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Tom Chester of the Cowboys is tackled during the round five NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Chester is the next-most versatile player on the Cowboys roster and shapes as the natural heir to North Queensland’s Mr Fix-It.

Chester starred in the halves as a schoolboy at Ignatius Park College in 2018, made his Cowboys debut at lock in 2022 and is rated an NRL fullback of the future by North Queensland staff.

Cowboys player Tom Chester in the NRL pre season match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Redcliffe Dolphins at Barlow Park Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’ve played a lot of positions so wherever they can fit me I don’t mind,” Chester said, in his first interview since signing the contract extension.

“I’d love to just be a part of this team and Jakey Granville, he’s a bloody good fella, and to follow after his footsteps would be pretty cool.

“I do take inspiration from him. He’s just a kickback fella and a good man.”

Chester - the son of a rodeo clown who once dreamt of a career as a bullrider before setting his sights on the Cowboys - has that mentality in common with Granville.

Tom Chester of the Cowboys poses with family and friends after his NRL debut. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

His laid-back nature has helped him to overcome a difficult period of rehabilitation to come back fitter, faster and stronger, under the watchful eye of former Cowboys tryscoring weapon turned club strength and conditioning guru Ashley Graham.

He brushed aside questions on whether his injury history had caused him to doubt himself or his future in the game.

“No, not really,” he said.

“I just focused on getting back to my best and that was it, really. You’ve just got to deal with it. Getting six months off at a time, or nine months, you’ve got to take each day as it comes. I guess there’s a couple of life lessons in there to just keep ticking boxes.

“It is awesome to get an opportunity (to extend) after having nine months off from footy so I’m very lucky and grateful.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Tom Chester of the Cowboys is assisted off the field by trainers after an injury during the round nine NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium on April 27, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Cowboys football chief Micheal Luck praised Chester’s “exceptional diligence” to bounce back from the injury.

“Tom still has a little way to go, but we know he won’t leave any stone unturned to make the best possible recovery,” Luck said.

“He is a terrific team man and he is a great asset for Todd (Payten) because he can play a number of positions. We believe his best spot is fullback, he also has serious utility value in that he could play most positions across the park very well.

“This additional year gives Tom some surety about his future as he makes his recovery from a serious injury and we look forward to having him back on the park as soon he is fit and ready to go.”

Chester said the decision to re-sign had been an easy one for the Townsville junior.

“Sticking around for another year will be good,” he said.

“It’s disappointing the way my year ended pretty early but I guess it’s lucky they offered me another opportunity to stay here. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

Chester is targeting an ambitious return date of Round 1 on March 10, just 10 months and one week after tearing his ACL.

Originally published as Jake Granville 2.0: Cowboys’ Swiss Army knife Tom Chester ready for key role