The next evolution in Cowboys NRL attack: Reece Robson’s kicking game

North Queensland has left XXXX Derby rivals sweating by unveiling the next evolution in the team’s attacking game plan. Read how the Cowboys are switching it up in 2023:

ONE season after Jeremiah Nanai took the NRL by storm as the competition’s hottest tryscoring force, North Queensland has left XXX Derby rivals Brisbane sweating by unveiling the next evolution in the team’s attacking game plan.

Lost in the drama surrounding Chad Townsend’s field goal heroics against the Raiders were two pinpoint kicks from an unexpected corner.

Townsend, Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden together accounted for 96 per cent of North Queensland’s kicking game in 2022 but hooker Reece Robson has emerged as a deadly new threat with the boot.

The 24-year-old had kicked just three times in two seasons under Todd Payten but stunned the Raiders to net both the first kicking try assist and forced dropout of his 73-game NRL career with the first two kicks of the new season

Scott Drinkwater celebrates with Reece Robson after the latter’s first try assist from a kick in the NRL. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The twin strikes fulfilled a pre-season promise to teammates to develop that part of his game into a weapon for the Cowboys.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to add to my game for a while,” Robson said.

“We definitely relied on them (the other spine players to kick) last year and we will again but I’m definitely trying to pull a bit of pressure off them.

“Having that kicking game is only going to help their game. The reason why I wanted to bring that in was so if I can’t get the ball to them on last tackle I want that option to get it to my cavalry there.

“It’s not something I’m going to try and come out and push too much but the opportunity arose and it was definitely one that was in the back of my mind.”

Robson had kicked just 11 times in 72 matches before the season-opener and hoped the addition to his game would get him closer to a State of Origin debut for New South Wales.

“You always want to get better and add that string to your bow and that definitely might help,” Robson said.

“It (Origin) has definitely been a lifelong dream, since I was little watching it. It’s the top of what you want to do. You want to play well at club and hopefully win grand finals and those accolades (Origin selection), that’s always something you want to achieve.

“It’s a massive goal of mine and hopefully if I do get the call I’d be over the moon.

“It’s just working hard, trying to play your best footy to get your club in the best place and I’ve got a lot of trust in Freddie that he’s going to be put the best team out there so I’ve just got to play the best footy I can.”

Originally published as The next evolution in Cowboys NRL attack: Reece Robson’s kicking game