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Tackles and Tinnies - E28 - North Queensland Cowboys 2025 Review & 2026 Preview
20 Plays4 months ago
The Cowboys are one of the hardest teams in the comp to read — flashes of genuine top-four footy mixed with weeks that leave you shaking your head.
In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini series, Ryan breaks down the North Queensland Cowboys’ 2025 season and looks ahead to what 2026 really holds in Townsville.
We get into:
- The Cowboys’ 2025 ladder finish and why the season felt better (and worse) than the results suggest
- What worked in attack, where the defence fell apart, and why consistency is still the biggest issue
- Key ins and outs for 2026 and what the recruitment strategy tells us about the club’s direction
- Players who exceeded expectations vs players who didn’t deliver
- The Dearden–Drinkwater conversation and how much the Cowboys still rely on individual brilliance
- Projected 2026 starting 17, bench balance and smokey picks
- Young players who could take the next step... Purdue?
- The 2026 draw and strength of schedule — where the season could swing
- And a clear ladder prediction for where the Cowboys finish in 2026
This one’s about whether the Cowboys are genuine contenders again… or still stuck in that dangerous middle ground.
Cowboys fans — where do you have them finishing in 2026? Jump in the comments and let us know.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to the Cowboys Mini-Series
00:00:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Fresh crack of the Muscle Nation 10. What's up, Tackles and Tinnies? We're back to the mini-series today. And obviously, got the Okuba on today, which means one thing. We are doing the North Queensland Cowboys.
00:00:15
Tackles and Tinnies
I have an affinity for the Cowboys. Jonathan Thurston is one of my favourite players of all time. absolute gun and I think they're sort of still living in his shadow which has sort of reflected their past couple of years and been a little bit inconsistent so I think this part of the miniseries is gonna be really interesting to talk about but let's get straight into how they performed in 2025.
Recap of the 2025 Season Struggles
00:00:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Very frustrating, very similar to the Dragons preview that we talked about a couple episodes ago, but they finished 12th on the ladder. So they had nine wins, 14 losses with a negative 146 point differentiation.
00:00:53
Tackles and Tinnies
They managed to score a few points or about middle pack with 538 plus, but their big issue was negative 684 points conceded, which was a second worst in the comp. And I hate to say it, my beloved Gold Coast Titans were number one.
00:01:09
Tackles and Tinnies
But you get again, defense wins championships, and it's quite obvious that negative 684, yeah, just not good enough. But yeah, they they got 25 competition points, and they're actually only really a few wins away from making the top eight. So I'm on the ladder right now. To make the top eight, you have to get 32 points. So again, a couple of those close games make a really big difference in a very congested league.
00:01:34
Tackles and Tinnies
league context for their season, yeah, just wishy-washy defense, defense, defense. Effort, I think, at defense as well. Once they conceded points, they sort of dropped their head, and that's when the points started to flurry.
00:01:50
Tackles and Tinnies
But for such a good roster, it was extremely frustrating to watch them play in 2025.
00:01:55
Tackles and Tinnies
Before we get into the full preview, i want to hear from you guys in the comments and suggest to me what they could have done differently in order to fix their defense in 2025. Was it a coaching thing? Was it a culture thing? Was it a roster thing? Let me know in the comments. Why were they so bad defensively? and
00:02:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. So, so, so bad. So, so bad. But how it actually went. So their attack again in patches, very, very good. They changed their combinations here and there. Yeah. Reese Robson was a main state hooker.
00:02:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Dearden at the five, eight position, then shifted to half back and then back to five, eight, then back to half back. But I thought obviously overall, Tommy Dearden by far their best player. Yeah. Yeah, he's their emotional leader.
00:02:39
Tackles and Tinnies
He tries so bloody hard in everything that he does. And I think that reflected obviously well in the Queensland origin camp when he replaced DCE in game two. it doesn't matter if it's Queensland or he's playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. i think Tommy Dearden by far was their best player.
00:02:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Drinkwater, drinkwater, drinkwater. Super coach mainstay for many people, super consistent in terms of scores. But again, your fullback is the orchestrator of your defense.
00:03:07
Tackles and Tinnies
And with them conceding the second most points at 684 or negative 684, is Tom, sorry, is Scotty Drinkwater the best fit at fullback?
00:03:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Very good in attack, obviously. is he a good defensive fullback? I guess he has a lot to prove in 2026.
Player Highlights and Concerns
00:03:25
Tackles and Tinnies
I want to hear from you guys. Is drink quarter defense up to scratch? Is communication good enough at the back or is it just more of a whole team thing? Again, let me know.
00:03:34
Tackles and Tinnies
thought Nanai, again, in patch was very good. he was a Queensland mainstay coming off the bench. Great attacking upside. Still so young. Still in his early 20s. I think he was like 22 years old. But yeah, Nanai, thought he was good.
00:03:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably didn't get enough attacking ball comparatively to the year prior. But it again, I think with a bit more consistency in the halves, instead of Jake Clifford, Purdue, Dearden, all swapping around, i think, yeah, this offseason is going to tell a lot for Nanai. Big 20-26 coming for him.
00:04:06
Tackles and Tinnies
And young gun, Jackson Perdue, I thought he was fantastic. Sort of broke out of nowhere. he's paper thin in terms of his, uh, building stature, but overall I thought he was, dynamic and attack got shipped between center and, uh, five, eight.
00:04:21
Tackles and Tinnies
I'd love to see him get a full season in the halves, which is actually currently true. So he's actually been training at halfback, which I really, really like. you just got to give this man the ball.
00:04:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Let him run. Let him and Tommy Dearden pretty much do what they sort of did with Queensland Origin with Munster and Dearden. Purdue and Dearden can do something very similar for the Cowboys. Scotty Drinkwater plays like a halfback, sort like Caelan Ponga.
00:04:47
Tackles and Tinnies
So yeah, you can Purdue and Dearden can just run the ball. But getting back to Purdue as a whole, Great run of the ball, extremely fast, still growing into his body, which obviously will help his defense. And again, a full season in a specific position, I think is going to help him a lot.
00:05:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Overall, I think for those guys, more moments than consistency. Is that a system thing? Is that a coaching thing? Is that a cultural thing? I think it's a, yeah, I think it's everything combined personally. Again, when you have the second worst defense in the league, that comes down to effort.
00:05:21
Tackles and Tinnies
And when the chips jump down, how can you rebound from that? That's a really big thing. As I just mentioned, defense was their biggest letdown edge cohesion,
00:05:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, just effort, energy. Again, they look like they want to score every single time off every single play. But when the chips went down, when teams started scoring them, they dropped their heads, even with a stacked roster, which will be very interesting to see.
00:05:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, not in a top 17, I guess we can now talk about a top 19 with the new interchange rules, which I'll get to later on the podcast.
Roster Changes and Strategic Moves
00:05:57
Tackles and Tinnies
so obviously they lost Chad Townsend. He was, uh, yeah, we talked about in the Titans chat with Sam about having experienced halves.
00:06:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes. Chad Townsend is not what he was five, six years ago. but he was that older head. He was that steady hand, guys like Tommy Dearden and drinky. It'll be interesting to see, if Purdue and Dearden with a full off scenes together can sort of emulate,
00:06:21
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah chad townsend in the way he was orchestrating the game even in his advanced stage of his career obviously he went to the bruises later on again being in north queensland the travel for them is obviously going to be logistically hard and it's obviously going to be yeah wear and tear recovery yeah getting up for games if i'm going from town uh north queensland to gold coast then back to north queensland to new zealand and then maybe new zealand to melbourne again logistics and travel is always going to be hard for a team like the cowboys so again recovery inconsistent energy hasn't been a problem in the past so again that makes me come back to that same focal point of effort and culture and that comes down to management and leadership
00:07:08
Tackles and Tinnies
What I want to talk about now is guys is recruitment and roster movement that 2025 had. Okay. So Kyle Lawton, he came from Manly. He's like a nine, bit of a 13, bit of utility off the bench, played some edge as well.
00:07:21
Tackles and Tinnies
He was good in patches, but not great. You had Kyle O'Donnell. Yeah. Pretty mid to be honest. Jackson Paulo utility outside back came from Manly.
00:07:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, still very young, developing into his body. Could get a smoky bench spot on the top 19, but we'll wait for and see for that one. John Bateman from the West Tigers. He's an edge middle, ball playing forward.
00:07:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe a little bit past his best, maybe lost a step or two, but I think he brought intangibles to the game, particularly when Lukey went down. okay He got that starting second-row spot alongside Nanae.
00:08:00
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't think John Bateman should be starting in 2026, but I think he still has value to a team like the Cowboys. And guys who went out of their team, I love Fene Fouillaki. He went to the Finns and I thought he was fantastic. Fene Fouillaki, great ball runner, hits hard. And in turn, Billy Slater noticed that and he gave him a Queensland origin camp invite.
00:08:25
Tackles and Tinnies
So it's going to be great for his confidence. But again, irrelevant for the Cowboys. Chad Townsend, obviously, we mentioned before, he went to the Roosters, didn't do too much there. But again, it's more so the culture, the mentoring that he provides.
00:08:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Jakey Granville was fantastic in that grand final for the Cowboys many years ago with JT and Prime Tumalolo. However, obviously retired.
00:08:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Kyle Felt, again, one of the best wingers, you could arguably say, of all time. a Huge try scoring feats, got that match winner or match tying try in that grand final.
00:09:00
Tackles and Tinnies
he was obviously a big loss culturally. Valentine Holmes, what can we say about him? Obviously, we had did our Dragons review. I gave him all the roses as well.
00:09:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Lost to goal kicker, lost to origin center, slash winger, slash fullback. Give him some early appeal. He can do it with the best of them in the league. Yeah, big loss, Valentine Holmes. Yeah, they're probably the main guys that we should be talking about.
00:09:25
Tackles and Tinnies
But for 2026...
2026 Lineup and Player Development
00:09:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, we have a one for one here. So they obviously gained read money from the Bulldogs. He was definitely underutilized with Bailey Haywood sort of taking his spot, got out of favor, lost minutes significantly. i think he's really due for a bounce back year and a fresh light to this team, which obviously then replaces Recy Robson, who's an origin quality hooker,
00:09:52
Tackles and Tinnies
very strong in defense good service out of dummy half almost a one for one obviously i probably could argue reese robson's better but yeah much of a muchness in terms of one for one and you're saving a little bit of money with reed marnie's in the salicap era that's so important you got some younger fellas like ethan king and james e walsh outside back slash utility halves Haven't heard too much about them personally, but I'm sure they're wonders in their are developmental years.
00:10:21
Tackles and Tinnies
And Matthew Lodge, okay, he's got that dog. He's got that anger. He's got a bit of vomit on the sideline at the Titans game. I remember that one. But, yeah, he's good experience for a pretty, yeah, they've got some really young guys in their forward pack and obviously some senior players. But I think a bit more aggression in this forward pack would go a long way.
00:10:40
Tackles and Tinnies
Does he make the top 19? Time will tell. As I mentioned before, in regards to Robson leaving, he's going to the Roosters. Great get for them.
00:10:51
Tackles and Tinnies
The salary cap, Sam Barrero, I'm pretty much mirroring one right now. Yeah, but he's going to be a great get for them and a big loss, I think, for the the Cowboys. But we'll see how our rebounder goes.
00:11:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Tom Duffy, so he started actually at halfback at the start of the year, played like two or three games and then pretty much got exiled from the team. He's gone to the Broncos.
00:11:14
Tackles and Tinnies
All reports said that he was like a gun coming through, had heaps of potential, and you pretty much just threw him to the wall, threw him in the deep end of the pool without much room for growth, without much room for error. If he had an error or two, confidence went down, head dropped. Yeah, not good for him. Good for the Broncos because obviously the Broncos lost Kobe Black, so they've got another young guy coming to fill that role.
00:11:39
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, Tom Duffy going to the Broncos. Jordan McLean, he's retired, veteran middle. So again, losing that experience. So I think a guy like Matty Lodge, he's going fantastic to replace a guy like him.
00:11:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Jamal Shibasaki, he's been released. Who knows? Dammit Shibasaki was actually up at the Cowboys at one stage of his career. Jamal obviously didn't get that same resurgence to his career. So yeah, he's been released.
00:12:06
Tackles and Tinnies
And then Carl Lawton, who we just spoke about previously with that utility factor they provided, also got released. But that's all right. Contractor Core, i think it's a big one to look at as well.
00:12:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Their main guys actually locked in. Okay, the main guy's locked in. So Tommy Dearden, drink water, Nanai. Lukey, he's coming back from an ACL injury, but very, very good. Arguably as good as Nanai on his day.
00:12:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Ruben Cotter, absolute dog. Tom Ololo, even at his advanced age, still has a little bit upside when used correctly. Zach Laybutt and Valame. Sorry, by Leah, not Valame.
00:12:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Valame. Yeah, both those guys will probably be starting in the centres. So again, a bit of consistency and cohesion moving forward in the outside backs. But again, we've got guys like Jackson Perdue coming off contract in the coming years, need to lock him in.
00:13:00
Tackles and Tinnies
He's a long-term cornerstone. He's a blue chip asset. These are the sort of things and guys that the Cowboys need to lock down, especially being a Queensland boy as well. So 2025 over and underperformers.
00:13:15
Tackles and Tinnies
So who I think exceeded expectations, Tommy Dearden. Again, I mentioned it before, got the call up in game two for Queensland origin and he was by far their best player, or you can almost argue in game three as well. He's the heart and soul of the team.
00:13:30
Tackles and Tinnies
When they've got their wall against the, so they're back against the wall, he's the guy who digs them out. Fantastic running game. His kicking game's improving. His playmaking's improving. He's only going to get better.
00:13:42
Tackles and Tinnies
He's a part of that leadership group. Yeah. All the roses for Tommy Dearden. Reuben Cotter in a similar elk in regards to the leadership, the pedigree, the origin qualities that he comes out.
00:13:54
Tackles and Tinnies
I love Reuben Cotter. I love the work rate that he has. that He's a tackling bot. Yeah, huge engine, huge motor. Yeah, he's the middle glue. He's their man in the front row slash lock position.
00:14:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Got Jeremiah Nanai, still an elite tri-scoring prospect, awesome under the high ball, only growing into his body, gaining experience, gaining confidence.
00:14:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Obviously, more time with the Origin boys. I think he's going to be due for a breakout year. Consistency for Jeremiah Nanai is probably the key for him. What do you guys think about 9-9?
00:14:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Is he due for a baker breakout again in 2026? Or are we going to see more of that patchy form and inconsistencies in this game? Jackson Perdue, we've obviously talked about a guy who sort of popped out of nowhere.
00:14:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Huge upside. He's shifted between center and 5'8". I like him more on the ball. And again, as I mentioned earlier, he's been training at halfback. The more ball he gets, the better the team will go, in my opinion.
00:14:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, he's still not very big in terms of his body, in terms of his stature. However, he's a gun. He is a gun. And a couple more off seasons, who knows, 2026 could be his year, could be smoky for origin, but time will tell.
00:15:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Who disappointed now? We can obviously look at guys in key positions. And I think Scotty Drinkwater is probably the one I want to talk about the most.
00:15:26
Tackles and Tinnies
On decent coin, in a pivotal position. And again, defense wins championships. And obviously, there's 16 other guys in the team. There's 12 other players on the field. He has so much responsibility in regards to the attack. okay But again, they're not a top six attacking team. So again, that could be arguable as well.
00:15:45
Tackles and Tinnies
But defense, he's the orchestrator at the back. He's the guy telling everyone where to go. He's the one making the one-on-one tackles. I think he's pretty good at that overall. And you can't obviously blame one guy, but in a pivotal position where a lot of these elite teams have those gun fullbacks, is Scott Drinkwater in that same elk?
00:16:06
Tackles and Tinnies
In super coach is. He's one of the best fullbacks in super coach. But does that translate to what we have in real life? i want to know from you guys, did Scott Drinkwater disappoint for 2025?
00:16:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Am I being too harsh? am i What I'm saying is fair because of what he's done in the past, because of the pedigree that he's shown. Let me know in the comments.
00:16:28
Tackles and Tinnies
i want to hear from you guys. Love to debate that. But again, I'm hoping all the best for him He's a gun in his own right. And again, probably edge defense overall.
00:16:39
Tackles and Tinnies
You're changing guys in the center wing position. You had plenty of injuries in their outside backs. You shifted Clifford and Purdue a couple of times. You shifted Deirdre into halfback. Yeah, I think their edge defense overall, which obviously where the points were being scored, i think that said a lot about them.
00:16:56
Tackles and Tinnies
And again, probably their bench rotation overall. Probably lacked a bit of punch. Again, injuries didn't help that. Guys like Tom Malolo getting past their prime. Yeah, that's probably of things that, yeah, coach needs to work on for the off-season for sure.
Rookie Prospects and New Strategies
00:17:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, rookies and players to watch. I mentioned two boys, Ethan King, James Walsh. Ethan King's an outside back. Could be pushing for a position, particularly when Talangi, who's quite injury-prone, but obviously plays origin. Robert Derby was inconsistent at the best of times. Braden Burns has had a lot of injuries with his hamstrings.
00:17:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Zachy Labar's coming back from ACL. Vylea's been injured a couple of times. Ethan King could then make that pounce on the outside backs and make it his own. But he also has Tommy Chester also around there as well. So we'll see about that one.
00:17:44
Tackles and Tinnies
James Walsh, young half slash hooker. Could be smoky for the 14 position. Potentially during origin time when they lose so many guys. I'd like to see a guy like that get a crack.
00:17:54
Tackles and Tinnies
But if he's still developing his career, a guy in a pivotal position like that, I'd rather him play Queensland Cup.
00:18:01
Tackles and Tinnies
We'll talk about that probably later on in the podcast in regards to the 19. But yeah, we'll get through that later. Now, as we've done a couple of other top seven teams, we've had to amend these obviously as well because now we've got 19 players.
00:18:16
Tackles and Tinnies
So i think the debate is you've only got four players that you can use out of the six. Once you've used four, the other two guys come as injury relief or HIA relief, like an 18th and 19th man. It'll be interesting how coaches use their bench I've said to Chris, I've said to Jake in the past, you probably don't want to be – I'm just going to use like the Raiders, for example.
00:18:42
Tackles and Tinnies
I probably want to put in a guy like Kobe Black or Ethan Sanders as 18th or 19th man. okay These are guys who are young halves. I probably want them getting development in Q Cup.
00:18:55
Tackles and Tinnies
rather than getting a swamped onto the bench. And I think that comes similar to those other guys like King and James Walsh. You probably would rather the guys who a bit more established, maybe third or fourth string, not the fifth string guy.
00:19:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Sorry, i not the third string guy on the bench. You probably want the fourth or fifth string guy. So the backup's backup. Probably makes more sense. And which when I get to some of these positions who are fighting for it, it will probably make a bit more sense when we get to the end of that. And I think some of you might agree. But again, I want to hear from you guys. Top 19 players.
00:19:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Who would be on the bench? And why? Have I missed a guy? Am I overreaching for some players? Let me know. But I think for fullback at this stage, pretty obvious, Scott Drinkwater. Okay. I love him there or overall as a player. He's a great talent.
00:19:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Defense, defense, defense, defense. I'm hoping that improves. I'm not blaming the guy. There's 12 other the guys in the paddock. But yeah, number one, definitely. Goal kicker as well at this stage.
00:19:56
Tackles and Tinnies
On the wings, okay, Murray Tallangi, he's 100% a lock. I don't see him getting pipped at all. Origin gun, great finisher. He's got that swag.
00:20:07
Tackles and Tinnies
He's got that aura on him. Great confidence player. Great under the high ball. Yeah, he's a lock. He's a Queensland player as well. Now the other wing. Braden Burns and Robert Derby both split time there. Robert Derby physically has more gifts in regards to his height and leaping ability.
00:20:26
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, the high ball made a few crucial areas, made a few defensive lapses. If he can get that out of his game, I think it could be absolute gun on the wing just due to his stature. Will Warbrick, Xavier Coates-esque.
00:20:42
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, time will tell how he can do that. But his main competition... is Brayden Burns. Brayden Burns had a lot of injuries in regard to soft tissue, hamstring being probably the main one we could talk about. But when healthy, oh my God, Brayden Burns.
00:20:58
Tackles and Tinnies
So, so good. So, so good. So fast, good in contact, good finisher, super reliable in defense. Really good in contact and breaking tackles from the eye test at least.
00:21:10
Tackles and Tinnies
So out of Brayden Burns and Robert Derby, I'm actually going to pick Brayden Burns over him. I think there's a bit more consistency with Burns. Derby probably has a bit more upside.
00:21:22
Tackles and Tinnies
In the halves, okay, I got Tommy Dearden shifting from the halfback position back to 5'8". He's definitely a natural 5'8", particularly in club land. He'll be their captain.
00:21:33
Tackles and Tinnies
He's their, again, their main guy they look for. He's their leader, okay? But now I've got Jackson Perdue at number seven. All reports are saying that he's been training there all off season. I love it.
00:21:45
Tackles and Tinnies
I love it. Great with our ball in hand, super fast, Jerome Hughes-esque in regards to running of the ball. Definitely not kicking the ball just yet, but a couple more off seasons, a bit more repetition. Who knows? Jackson Burdew could light up the and NRL in the coming years, maybe 2020-26.
00:22:03
Tackles and Tinnies
twenty twenty twenty six But yeah, Tommy Deard and Purdue in the halves. Middle forward rotation. So this is where it gets a little bit spicy. So Jason Tamalolo is my first prop.
00:22:14
Tackles and Tinnies
He's getting paid a million bucks. He's starting. but I don't care what you guys say. He is starting. In recent years, he's played for Tonga. I thought he's done well in shortest stints. Okay?
00:22:25
Tackles and Tinnies
So less volume on the field, more exertion out there. So instead of playing him for 25 to 30 minutes straight, let's get him out there for 17 to 22 minutes straight.
00:22:37
Tackles and Tinnies
I want high impact, high effort, high running. Get him off the field. Lolo on his day is still devastating. The other front row position, you could go several positions here or seven people here.
00:22:50
Tackles and Tinnies
and We could go a guy like Gritham Neame, Cohen Hess, Matty Lodge. We could go a guy like John Bateman potentially, but I've actually leant towards a more mobile guy in Sam McIntyre.
00:23:03
Tackles and Tinnies
I thought he was really good last year. I think getting the yin to the yang to Tamalolo complements it quite well. Bit more mobility, modern day front rower, Josh Curran-esque from the Bulldogs.
00:23:17
Tackles and Tinnies
I kind of like that. I kind of like that mobility. So McIntyre and Tamalolo, the yin to the yang, I think they complement each other quite well. And I think that also complements the the edges as well in regards to the second rowers.
00:23:32
Tackles and Tinnies
So I've got Jeremiah Nanai and Heman Lukey. I think they're locks. Lukey's obviously coming back from an ACL injury. i think it's his second one actually, so poor guy.
00:23:43
Tackles and Tinnies
But when healthy, both Queensland representatives in my eyes could be the future Queensland second rowers. Very high attacking upside. Can they work on the defense? Can they stay on the park?
00:23:54
Tackles and Tinnies
That is the question. So young, so soful so skillful, so athletic. I love my athletic players, and I think they will do wonders for the Cowboys this year.
Reid Marnie's Expected Impact
00:24:04
Tackles and Tinnies
At number nine, obviously, we talked about before, but Reid Marnie's coming from the Bulldogs. He's got a lot to prove.
00:24:10
Tackles and Tinnies
He's got lot to prove. Got a good kicking game out of dummy half, which I think will help Purdue and Dearden and Drinkwater. Good service, good running game. He's an absolute pest. He's the guy you want on your team, but you hate playing against them. I think that will help them.
00:24:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, Matty Lodge will also help them in that regard as well. But he's going to give them a bit more NO when the chips are down, I think. Yeah, it's a lot to prove. Big year for Reid Marnie in my eyes.
00:24:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Reuben Cotter, co-captain. He's a Queensland mainstay. He's an Australian mainstay. He's a leader. He's got that dog in him. He's got that engine. Can shift between front row, second row, lock.
00:24:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, absolute gun. Love Cotter. Yeah, he's one of their main guys. Now off the bench, I've got number 14 as their main utility.
00:25:04
Tackles and Tinnies
I got Jake Clifford, okay? He can play six, seven, or nine, okay? Again, we've got six guys on the bench now, so you've got to keep that in mind, guys. But he's my utility, can spell...
00:25:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Dearden or Purdue or Marnie. But the good thing is if an outside back goes down, obviously now with the rule changes, but Purdue could have shifted to the centers or the wing or fullback. But now that's going to change.
00:25:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, it's going to change. But Clifford, he's my half utility slash hooker utility. Griffin Neame, okay, as we mentioned before, could get that starting prop position. He's a front row for the New Zealand national team. Very good in his own regards.
00:25:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Bit of a plotter in terms of speed. I like a bit more athleticism, but he's just a big body, big body. He'll be there. The next two guys will be fighting for a position, and I think it'll literally be out of these three guys. i We'll put them as three guys here.
00:26:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Cohen Hess, Matt Lodge, and Harrison Edwards. I think those three guys are fighting for two spots. okay Cohen Hess and Matty Lodge are very similar in the way they play. I think Cohen Hess is a bit more dynamic and athletic. Matt Lodge probably provides a bit more aggro. Harrison Edwards probably has that yeah the youth behind them. He's got a bit more versatility and probably play on an edge if need be.
00:26:30
Tackles and Tinnies
that's Those two guys are probably fighting for jersey number 16, 17. I've also got John Bateman. He provides experience. Obviously, he's going to get demoted from the starting second row position, but he'll be a middle slash second row utility. And again, he's got that leadership. He's got that experience. He'll be there somewhere on the bench in my eyes.
00:26:49
Tackles and Tinnies
And then in my final position at jersey 19, I've got Jackson Porlo. So he's an outside-back utility. He can play center or wing. I think he's going to do... Yeah, I think he's a perfect type of guy for this new rule change.
00:27:04
Tackles and Tinnies
He's established enough where he shouldn't be wasting energy in Q Cup, but I think he's just not... in that top tier, comparatively to the other guys I mentioned, to get a starting spot. He's the perfect number 19 as an outside back utility.
Season Predictions and Defensive Analysis
00:27:20
Tackles and Tinnies
And again, you can shift some guys around the outside backs in the starting team.
00:27:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, What do you guys reckon of those ones? I'm pretty happy overall on how constructed. I'll quickly read them out again. Fullback drink water. On the wings, I've got Talunghi and Braden Burns. At center, I've got Zach Laybutt and Vylea.
00:27:41
Tackles and Tinnies
In the halves, I've got Tom Dearden and Jackson Perdue at halfback. I've got middle forwards. I've got Jason Tamalolo, Sam McIntyre, and Cotter at lock.
00:27:52
Tackles and Tinnies
And I've got Reid Marnie at hooker. And at second row, I've got Nanai and Lukey. Coming off the bench, I've got Jakey Clifford being that utility half slash hooker. I've got Griffin Neen being one of the front rowers coming off the bench.
00:28:06
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going to lead towards Cohen Hess over Matt Lodge at this stage. I think there's a bit more upside, but definitely Matt Lodge will be there and about. I think Harrison Edwards...
00:28:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Bit more versatility in regards to the way he plays, gives another look. a Bit more leg speed, Sam McIntyre-esque, where I think, yeah, I think a bit more versatility there.
00:28:29
Tackles and Tinnies
John Bateman, similar in that regard, bit more leg speed, got that English pedigree, got that dog in him. Yeah, it'd be John Bateman, Matty Lodge.
00:28:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Those two guys obviously be fighting for a spot as well. And then that final position, I got Jackson Polo. He'd be that outside back utility. Yeah, wing, center wing, or center and fullback. You can definitely all play there.
00:28:54
Tackles and Tinnies
But again, let me know, you guys, how did I go? Have I missed anyone? Should a younger fellow be pushing through? capping for some of those guys? Do we like Purdue at halfback? Let me know in the comments.
00:29:07
Tackles and Tinnies
At this stage, I think Tommy Chester is probably the only Smokey who could crack the 19. Injuries have taken a lot of his early part of his career, but he's a genuine chance to make the 19. He could be that outside back coverage, again, wing, fullback, center. Could definitely take that Jackson Polo position.
00:29:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Who you guys got? Would it be a Robert Derby? Would it be a Tommy Chester? Or would it be a Brayden Burns? You let me know in the comments who you think.
Schedule Challenges and Strategic Planning
00:29:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, the draw slash strength is scheduled for 2026. This is from spotock Fox Sports. So the fixture difficulty is 13th. So one of the softer draws overall.
00:29:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Teams they play twice is the Roosters, Dolphins, Broncos, Raiders, Tigers, Titans, Seagulls, and Eels. I'd say out of those teams, the Cowboys should potentially win two games against the Tigers, Titans,
00:30:06
Tackles and Tinnies
seagulls and eels. Okay, I've got high hopes for the Roosters, Dolphins, Broncos and Raiders in 2026, but they could definitely steal one. Games versus top eight teams who are from 2025, they got 11.
00:30:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Games versus top four 2025 six. Games versus outside top eight teams is 13. And Games versus bottom four teams is five. Pretty good, pretty good for a Cowboys outfit who need to travel a lot of their games.
00:30:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Some of the pros of their strength is scheduled. So they' got two buys in the Origin period, one game versus South, which is huge for a club that sends players to Origin. Again, they've got guys, I'll quickly go up here.
00:30:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Murray Talangi probably, Dearden definitely, Nanai Nanai definitely, Lukey, Smokey. So potentially four guys off top my head.
00:30:57
Tackles and Tinnies
on obviously caught up five, potentially five guys for origin. So if they can get those buys around that time slash versing teams who are also decimated, for example, South Sydney could be one or Melbourne Storm could be one, guys like that, if you verse them, huge.
00:31:14
Tackles and Tinnies
So they run home. They've seven of their last eight games in Queensland against the Cowboys. So Broncos, Titans, Raiders, Tigers, all those types of games they should be able to be competitive against, especially at North Queensland.
00:31:27
Tackles and Tinnies
And they've also got a round 25 bye, perfect to freshen up just before the finals. It'll be a really good indicator if they need to rest guys for the last round or two, if they're ahead of schedule in regards to where they are on the ladder or have to go, oh, hey guys, we've got two rounds left, full hog. You're playing extended minutes.
00:31:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Let's go lock in. It'll be interesting. i want to hear from you guys. But yeah, cons. So brutal start travel-wise. Only two home games in their first six weeks.
00:31:56
Tackles and Tinnies
That is rough. Very similar to the Titans in that regard. But yeah, two home games in six weeks. We obviously mentioned about travel. And depending where those games are situated, yeah, not too good for them.
00:32:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Very, very scary. Again, North Queensland. Could be going to Melbourne, New Zealand. Yeah, don't like the logistics regarding that. And open in Las Vegas. So big trip. It's weird week. I guess a weird week. And you don't want to be starting 0-3 with their confidence, obviously rattling at the worst of times as well.
00:32:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, we'll see. We'll see what happens for them.
Final Thoughts on Team Potential
00:32:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, probably 2026 narratives. I think the biggest questions, takeaways, things to talk about, can the spine click? So can that Marnie, Deirdre, and Drinkwater, Perdue, find consistent form?
00:32:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Can their attacking upside get them into the top eight? Going off what I just read, reckon it could. Like Marnie's like the backup hooker for Queensland, really, when Harry Grant goes down.
00:32:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Tommy Dearden's obviously a Queensland Australian player. Drinkwater is buried under the extreme depth that New South Wales has, but very well could play at origin and would do definitely a good job there.
00:33:09
Tackles and Tinnies
And Purdue, young gun, coming through the ranks, a full season in the halves to prepare. We'll see. Again, but consistency is key for them.
00:33:20
Tackles and Tinnies
another thing quick Another thing to ask, can Tom Payton tie into their defense? Again, they're the second worst defense in the league from 2025. Negative, what was it, 684, I think I said before.
00:33:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, they have to be better. They have to be minimum in like the top 10 for defense. I think their attack will do quite well. Their defense obviously has a long way to come.
00:33:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Can they do that for 2026?
00:33:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Another one, obviously the million-dollar man, Jason Tamalolo. I mentioned him before I'd rather him not do 25 to 30 minutes straight up or have their second sin to be 25 to 30 minutes. I want short, sharp explosiveness from him. If I'm Todd Payton, I'll be like, Lolo, you're going out there for 15 minutes.
00:34:06
Tackles and Tinnies
I want you to go ham. I want you to be a wrecking ball. I want you to take some... people's heads off metaphorically because you can't do that anymore. But I want you to set the standard. I want you to bring the energy. I want you to show that we aren't getting messed around in the first 15 minutes of the contest and then you get a spell.
00:34:23
Tackles and Tinnies
I'd love to see that. What are your thoughts on that idea, guys? Lolo, short, sharp, 15 minutes. Come off, have your second stint. Or alternatively, they put Lolo off the bench and he can meet him back forward.
00:34:35
Tackles and Tinnies
How would you rather? Would you rather him do 15 minutes to start, show that aggro and aggression and that go forward? Or would you rather him come off the bench and get a bit more mobility in the pack? You let me know.
00:34:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Best case, their upside scenario, top six. Top six, potentially. Okay. However, their defense. Their defense has been their kryptonite. We need to get them...
00:34:57
Tackles and Tinnies
into again a top 10 level standard. I think their attack will obviously probably be better next year. Worst case scenario, hey, they came 12th last year or 2025. I can definitely see them aiming in a similar pack.
00:35:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Injuries pending obviously. But my prediction, do they make the top eight? I'm going to say no. I think they just miss out.
00:35:23
Tackles and Tinnies
I think if I had to give them them a band, I think their classic West Tigers nine to 10th for them. think they just miss out. I think there's so much quality. There's so much transparency and teams who are all fighting in a very similar band. And all these reviews can be quite hard to give you the definitive answer in regards to that.
00:35:43
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, I think they finished ninth. I think they just miss out. I hope I'm proven wrong. Another Queensland team in the top eight would be fantastic. Now, we're going back to Cap and Fact from ChatGPT, and it's given me some good ones here.
00:35:55
Tackles and Tinnies
But Cap or Fact, the Cowboys will finish ninth in 2026, again, missing finals by one win. My prediction was ninth and tenth, or ninth or tenth. So I say that's fact, 100%.
00:36:06
Tackles and Tinnies
hundred percent As I just echoed before, I think their defense has a long way to go. Can they shave literally 150 off they're against That's a lot. Okay, that's a lot, guys. Can they do that?
00:36:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Their origin starts having to back up. They're another year older. Can Lolo stay healthy? Can the Haas combination of Purdue and Dearden work out well? Can Marnie adjust to the new system?
00:36:31
Tackles and Tinnies
So many variables. That's what I'm saying, Knight. Second one, capital fact. Reid Marnie will be a net upgrade on Robson for what this team needs.
00:36:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Net upgrade. I'm going to say no because obviously I don't want to dismiss what Reece Robinson has done for the club and what he is for New South Wales.
00:36:53
Tackles and Tinnies
He's a top-level, A-quality hooker. They're going to miss him a lot. Great in defence, good service. But Reid Marnie gives them something else in regards to a new identity.
00:37:09
Tackles and Tinnies
okay And that identity is that pest, that annoyance. He's got that aggression in him. Bit more of a kicking game outside of the dummy half area, which could be good for them.
00:37:22
Tackles and Tinnies
Net upgrade in some aspects overall. Downgrade, you probably got him cheaper than Robson, what Robson wanted at the Roosters, which I think was about $750K. Overall then, net upgrade, when you put that in consideration,
00:37:36
Tackles and Tinnies
I should say fact. I actually think it is fact. I think Reid Marnie's got a lot to prove this year. I think he got humbled a lot at the dogs, getting benched. Yeah, like it.
00:37:47
Tackles and Tinnies
I actually like it a lot. Reid Marnie, starting my super coach team this year, mate. Do not let me down at 420K. But yeah, I say it's fact. Reid Marnie be a net upgrade over Robson for what the team needs, not in terms of the player quality.
00:38:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Next one. Cap of fact, Nanai and Lukey as a pair will combine for 25 tries in 2026.
00:38:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Can Lukey stay healthy? That's the question. Can they score 13 tries each? Yeah, definitely. Definitely could score 13 tries each. Especially with Deirdre and Purdue, giving them the pill and guys like Drinkwater at the back doing that sweet play.
00:38:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Definitely. They're aerial threats, particularly Nanai. Lukey's a devastating runner in his own right as well. Can Lukey stay the park? That's the question. Can Nanai have a bit of resurgence or some consistency?
00:38:36
Tackles and Tinnies
That's another question. Do I see them get 25 tries? I'm going to say cap. I think that's a bit high. I wouldn't be surprised if they get about 20 tries though. It'd be very interesting. 20 tries for those guys.
00:38:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Lock it in. Next one. Capital fact, the Cowboys' softest draw in Queensland heavy run home means they have to play finals or Payton comes under real pressure.
00:39:01
Tackles and Tinnies
In other words, does he get the sack? I'm going to say... I'm
00:39:09
Tackles and Tinnies
going say cap. I'm going say cap. I don't see them making the eight. Regardless of the draw, regardless of the Queensland heavy run home... I just don't think they're going to make the eight.
00:39:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Is Peyton definitely going to be under pressure? Yes. And I think that comes down to what we observe via the eye test, via the rumblings coming out of the media, how their effort is on the field.
00:39:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Do they drop their heads? How does Peyton deal with the media? I think those things play a big fact in his pressure to stay at the role. But overall, I do not see that being a fact.
00:39:46
Tackles and Tinnies
That's definitely Kat. And the last one, capital fact, Scott Drinkwater is still the right long-term fullback for a serious premiership push. Now, I'm not undermining him at all. okay Again, Supercoach Gunn could be a New South Wales player if the chips fell his way.
00:40:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Defense, I'm not blaming him at all. Again, negative 684. And he's the fullback. He's the orchestrating the defense. He's the one communicating. His one-on-one defense overall is pretty good.
00:40:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Is he the right long-term fullback? I'm going to say facts, reason being who's pushing him out. Unless you go drink water to 5'8 or halfback, which I don't hate.
00:40:28
Tackles and Tinnies
He plays like one. Jaden Campbell-esque, we could almost say and put Purdue to fullback. Kind of like that, actually. Purdue to fullback. What do we think? Guys, let me know in the comments.
00:40:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Scott, Drinkwater, 2027, or maybe a nuclear change in 2026, but Drinkwater to halfback, Purdue to fullback.
00:40:50
Tackles and Tinnies
I think the explosiveness and running game of Purdue is a little bit more dynamic than Drinkwater. Drinkwater has probably a better management kicking passing game than Purdue.
00:41:02
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't know. I like it. i want to know from you guys though. Drink water. If everything hits the fan, drink water to halfback, Purdue to fullback. Let me know in the comments.
00:41:13
Tackles and Tinnies
But guys, that's it. 42 minutes. These mini pods aren't so mini. I'm kind of glad I'm doing it one at a time. Have the cowboy hat on. I'm paying homage to them.
00:41:24
Tackles and Tinnies
How do you think the cowboys will go 2026? That is the main thing. Again, I'm projecting and they get ninth to 10th. A lot of origin stars, combinations, new players coming in, key positions leaving in terms of Robson and then obviously Marnie coming in.
00:41:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Cowboys are probably one of the most intriguing teams. High ceiling, high floor. Also, low floor. They could go anywhere on this ladder.
00:41:53
Tackles and Tinnies
I want to know from you guys. But that's the review for the Cowboys in 2025 slash preview for 2026. I want to hear from you guys in the comments. Let me know how we went.
00:42:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Next up, who we got? We have got... Oh, have to find out. don't even know. I'll tell you guys. Talk to you later.