The words of rugby league legends will be ringing in Liam Sutton’s ears on Saturday night as he takes to Jubilee Oval in a bid to play his way on to the Cowboys Las Vegas touring party. 

The halfback joined North Queensland on a development deal at the start of the pre-season having embarked on a winding journey from rugby league nursery St Gregory’s College Campbelltown to the Newcastle Knights, Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup and eventually Townsville. 

Sutton has learned from some of the game’s best playmakers along the way, including Andrew Johns, Mathew Head, Blake Green and new Cowboys teammate Tom Dearden. 

The 22-year-old is now set to lead a youthful North Queensland side in their opening Witzer Pre-Season Challenge clash against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, with a place in the Vegas squad on the line.


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“I want to play as many NRL games as I can,” Sutton told NRL.com. “The trials are a chance to put my best foot forward and show the boys and coaching staff I’m ready to do a job when I’m needed. Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.

“Getting out there on the field and playing alongside the boys is a step towards playing first grade. I want to enjoy my rugby league so I’ll make sure my preparation is good so I can go out there and perform. 

“It would be an unreal experience if I’m able to go to Vegas in the squad. It’s one of my goals that I want to achieve. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll still put my best foot forward and make sure I’m ready when I get that chance.”

The Cowboys will travel south to kick off the Pre-Season Challenge as part of a double-header featuring all four Vegas teams. North Queensland play Canterbury before the Dragons and Knights face off.

It will mark a return home of sorts for Sutton, who grew up in the Wollondilly region in Sydney’s southwest before moving to Newcastle to join the Knights pathway. 

There he progressed from Jersey Flegg to NSW Cup and played 30 games of reserve grade from 2023 to 2025. Eventually the playmaker realised he needed a change and a pectoral injury to Jock Madden opened the door for a move north midway through last year. 

Madden’s injury left Wynnum-Manly coach Mathew Head looking for a playmaker and it didn’t take long for Sutton to grab the opportunity with both hands.

A Dragons fan growing up, the chance to work with the former St George Illawarra halfback provided Sutton with an opportunity to simplify his game.




It hasn't taken Liam Sutton long to make an impact at the Cowboys.


It hasn’t taken Liam Sutton long to make an impact at the Cowboys.
©Cowboys Media

An impressive end to the Queensland Cup season caught the eye of the Cowboys and Sutton hasn’t looked back. 

The halfback has spent the summer learning from Dearden, with the pair lining up opposite each other in opposed sessions. 

While the path to Townsville has been rocky, Sutton has learnt new lessons at each step on what he hopes is an eventual journey to an NRL debut. 

“I did a few sessions with Joey when I was in Newcastle,” he said. “He came in, did a few skills sessions with us, took us right back to the basics. The fundamentals of playmaking, passing the ball, footwork. 

“At the time I was gobsmacked he was in front of us. He’s very smart and intelligent in the way he talks about footy. Blake Green was a bit like that as well. He was at Newcastle when I was there, now he’s come up to the Cowboys and it’s good to learn off people like that.

“You hear things along the way of how you should do this or do that. If you can implement little things in how you want to play the game it helps you out. 

“One thing Heady told me when I first went to Wynnum was he wanted me to take the line on. Go in there, think run first and then passing options will come off that. That really opened my game up and was beneficial for me.”

While Sutton has learnt from plenty of experienced halves over the years, there is one man he is yet to meet – Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston.


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The youngster has spotted him across the halls at the club’s Townsville base but is yet to approach the premiership winner. 

It’s a step Sutton would love to take in the coming weeks as looks to continue his development towards an NRL debut. 

“He was great to watch,” Sutton said. “I haven’t met him yet but I’ve seen him around the building. 

“I’ll be a bit star struck if he came and did a session with us but I’d definitely pick his brain.”

Which future stars will burst on to the scene during this year’s Witzer Pre-Season Challenge? Catch all the action from February 7 live on Kayo and Fox Sports.