Payten ready to prove doubters wrong after tough 2025
Scott Bailey |
Todd Payten is not going anywhere, backing North Queensland to prove the doubters wrong as he fights to stay on as coach.
A frank and honest Payten admitted on Friday he had endured tough periods through last season, with speculation swirling around his job at North Queensland.
But as the Cowboys prepare to launch their season against Newcastle in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), Payten insists they will be a different team in 2026.
Payten enters this season as one of the coaches under the most pressure, after falling from fifth place in 2024 to a disappointing 12th last year.
“I’ll be honest, there were some tough periods last year and it wasn’t fun,” Payten said on Friday at the Cowboys’ final training run in Vegas.
“But the club have backed me and I’m really grateful for the support.
“This is a great opportunity and we’re ready to prove the doubters wrong. We’re a different team and I’m looking forward to it.”
Payten is honest in his assessment of last year.
He readily points to the fact the Cowboys gave away the most piggyback penalties in the competition last year and made the most yardage errors.
“We got exactly what we deserved,” he said.
“You give the opposition all the possession down your end, that’s not a winning formula. We need to get that right.”
Amid questions over his future, Payten survived, but assistants Justin Morgan and Ben Rauter have been replaced by Blake Green and Paul Wellens.
Asked whether he feared his job could also be gone, Payten made clear he would not go down without a fight.
“I don’t listen to the noise but it’s hard to hear,” he said.
“It was coming to me indirectly by friends and people just checking in. I had some dialogue internally. I had to make some changes and that wasn’t enjoyable.
“I’m having some tough conversations with guys that I trust and rely on.
“Again, I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity, leading this club and being a part of our franchise is a responsibility and a privilege.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else and I’m not going anywhere else.”
In good news for Payten, Murray Taulagi (hamstring), Griffin Neame (shoulder) and John Bateman (wrist) have all been cleared to be available to face the Knights.
Reed Mahoney is also set to act as an 80-minute hooker after his arrival from Canterbury, while Soni Luke will likely still be a reserve on the extended six-man bench.
Payten also backed halfback Tom Dearden to go to another level in 2026 after his breakout State of Origin success last year, with Jake Clifford’s trial form and injuries in the centres meaning he will remain at No.6 with Jaxon Purdue out wide.
“You should see how fit and lean Tommy is. He’s always been fit, but I haven’t seen him this lean,” Payten said.
“The confidence he’s got off the back of the Origin series last year, he just walks a little bit taller.
“He’s a bit more confident in his own ability and the way he talks and delivers messages to the team.”
AAP