that Drinkwater is on the outer at the club and won\u2019t be re-signed<\/a> beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027. <\/p>\nDrinkwater is an attacking master and finished second behind only Reece Walsh (26) for try assists in 2025 with 24.<\/p>\n
He also had 21 linebreak assists, which were the fifth most in the NRL and 11 tries, so there is no doubting his ability with ball in hand. <\/p>\n
But Drinkwater\u2019s struggles on the defensive side of things are well documented and he needs to improve this area of game for himself, but also for the good of the team, who also struggle defensively as a whole. <\/p>\n
There is a bit of chicken and the egg when it comes to Drinkwater\u2019s defence in that if his front line was doing better in that department, he wouldn\u2019t have to make as many and therefore miss as many tackles at the back. <\/p>\n
But modern fullbacks need to not only marshall the troops from the back-field, but also make try-saving tackles as the last line of defence. <\/p>\n
Drinkwater needs to work on his anticipation, so that he can be in the right place at the right time when try-saving tackles need to be delivered. <\/p>\n
Scott Drinkwater needs to work on his defence.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Then he also needs to put his body on the line more often and take the brunt of a ball runner front-on, to at least slow them down on their way to the try-line and give other defenders time to arrive. <\/p>\n
Even Payten admits that his fullback has all the skills in the world in attack, but his defence lets him down at times. <\/p>\n
If Drinkwater can improve his defence, he can be the Cowboys\u2019 fullback for the rest of his career and could even play representative footy given his brilliance with the ball. <\/p>\n
But if he can\u2019t, that he may be too much of a liability in defence for the Cowboys to win games consistently and they may need to look at other fullbacks on the open market to take them to a first title since 2015. <\/p>\n
Officials face bans over Katoa injuries | 00:42<\/p>\n
HALVES HEADACHE<\/p>\n
The Cowboys\u2019 halves have been going through a transition phase over the last couple of seasons, with veteran Chad Townsend moving on from the club, while Jake Clifford spent a long period at halfback alongside skipper Tom Dearden at five-eighth. <\/p>\n
However, Dearden has blossomed into a bona fide star and replaced Daly Cherry-Evans as the Queensland halfback last season, while he has been a regular for the Kangaroos over the last couple of years. <\/p>\n
Dearden has long held a desire to return to the halfback role, after playing No.7 for most of his juniors coming through the Broncos\u2019 system. <\/p>\n
Dearden\u2019s switch to halfback coincided with Payten\u2019s desire to play Jaxon Purdue at five-eighth and pledged to plan the Cowboys\u2019 future around the pair. <\/p>\n
That meant that Clifford found himself out of the side, before being recalled at No.6 late in the year, as Purdue\u2019s transition to No.6 didn\u2019t come as smoothly as Payten would have liked. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys also needed Purdue in the centres where some of his best games in the NRL have come and edge defence is not a strong point for the club. <\/p>\n
Jaxon Purdue and Jake Clifford are vying to partner Tom Dearden in the halves.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
Adding to Payten\u2019s dilemma is that Purdue is off-contract in 2026 and is yet to commit to the club long-term, so playing him in his preferred No.6 role might help him stay. <\/p>\n
However, at this stage Clifford and Dearden are a better halves combination for the balance of the side, with Purdue at centre. <\/p>\n
But Dearden still has a way to go to reach the heights of his Origin heroics as a consistent NRL playmaker, so there will be growing pains going forward. <\/p>\n
The challenge will be balancing the Cowboys\u2019 plans for the future with Payten\u2019s need to win now because his job is under pressure heading into 2026. <\/p>\n
The main goal is to keep Purdue at the club long-term and build a combination with Dearden that can carry the club for the next decade, but in the interim he may need to bide his time as a centre and let Clifford\u2019s experience get the club back to the finals in 2026. <\/p>\n
Bunnies stars getting fighting fit! | 00:19<\/p>\n
VALENTINE VOID<\/p>\n
The Cowboys have struggled to replace representative centre Valentine Holmes since he left the club for the Dragons and desperately need more strike and defence in the centres. <\/p>\n
Holmes was not only a player who could create something out of nothing on the edge in attack, but he also held the defence together and the Cowboys have missed his class on both sides of the ball. <\/p>\n
Purdue has shown promise as a centre, but has his sights set on the No.6 jersey long-term. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Zac Laybutt looks a potential star when fit, but has been hampered by injuries that have curtailed his promising career to date. <\/p>\n
Laybutt has showed his class scoring three tries in four games in each of his first two seasons in the NRL, before injury cut short both campaigns, while last year he scored three in 14 games, but again couldn\u2019t put a full season together. <\/p>\n
At 23, Laybutt still has time on his side and is signed for the next two seasons, but he needs to get some luck on the injury front soon to realise his immense potential. <\/p>\n
Viliami Vailea joined the Cowboys in 2024 from the Warriors, scoring two tries in 18 games in his first season at the club, before scoring another two in 14 games last season. <\/p>\n
Jaxon Purdue is needed in the centres but intent on playing five-eighth.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Also 23, Valiea still has time to reach greater heights, but that is just not enough production from your two strike centres to win consistently in the NRL. <\/p>\n
Robert Derby scored nine tries in 17 games last year shifting between centre and wing, but his career has also been hindered by injuries to date. <\/p>\n
Purdue scored has scored 16 tries in 32 games for the Cowboys in his first two seasons, including 14 in 24 games in 2025 and has looked the club\u2019s most dangerous centre option since Holmes left for the Dragons. <\/p>\n
However, his future looks set to be as a five-eighth and if he starts there in 2026, the Cowboys will need their other centres to stand up and fill the void. <\/p>\n
Holmes scored 42 tries in 98 games for the Cowboys, including 16 in his last 24 games for the club in 2024, while he also kicked 347 goals for a total of 871 points for the club. <\/p>\n
And it wasn\u2019t just his production for himself. It was Holmes\u2019 ability to create opportunities for his wingers and play a roaming role that helped break down defences, while he also was a strong defender on the edge. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys have some quality back-rowers, but they need to unearth some strike centres, who can consistently perform or they may need to go to market to bolster that department. <\/p>\n
Richardson’s departing words at Tigers | 13:11<\/p>\n
TAUMALOLO MEGA DEAL HURTING REBUILD<\/p>\n
Jason Taumalolo is a champion of the Cowboys\u2019 club and the game, but there is no doubt his $10 million mega contract has hurt Payten\u2019s ability to rebuild the team into a contender in recent years. <\/p>\n
At the peak of his career when he was winning Dally M Medals, Taumalolo\u2019s $1 million a season deal looked like a bargain for the club, as he dominated the NRL. <\/p>\n
Taumalolo has scored 38 tries in 285 NRL games, as well as four tries in 30 Tests for Tonga and New Zealand since his debut in 2010, while he has led the club to a premiership in 2015 and another grand final in 2017. <\/p>\n
However, while he will go down as arguably the greatest lock in history and one of the greatest forwards, he hasn\u2019t been at his peak for a few seasons. <\/p>\n
Payten said when he took over in 2021, that Taumalolo had to change his game or he wouldn\u2019t be able to see out his deal, which expires in 2027. <\/p>\n
The now 32-year-old has transitioned from a workhorse lock into a front-rower in recent years and while his best is still very hard to contain, he doesn\u2019t produce it for as long as he did in his prime. <\/p>\n
Taumalolo has managed to play over 18 games just twice since 2018 and he played just 10 games last year, after struggling to return from surgery on a Lisfranc injury, while he has battled a series of soft tissue injuries in recent campaigns. <\/p>\n
Jason Taumalolo is coming to the end of his mega deal.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
That works out at $100k a game, which is a massive amount of your cap to be paying one player for just 10 appearances. <\/p>\n
While injuries are a part of the game, Taumalolo\u2019s body is clearly struggling to cope with playing in the middle of the field coming into his 17th and 18th years in the NRL over the next two seasons. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys have a number of voids to fill across their roster and they may be better off paying two players the money that Taumalolo is getting, given his waning input over the last couple of campaigns. <\/p>\n
Taumalolo\u2019s legacy is set in stone at the Cowboys and he can still play a role over the next two seasons, but there is no doubt his massive pay packet is hurting the club\u2019s ability to retain and recruit other stars. <\/p>\n
Former NRL star charged with assault | 00:36<\/p>\n
PAYTEN UNDER PRESSURE <\/p>\n
Todd Payten is arguably the most under-pressure coach going into the 2026 season and if he can\u2019t lift the Cowboys to the finals, they may look to go in a different direction.<\/p>\n
And if the Cowboys get off to a slow start and their horror defence doesn\u2019t improve drastically, the club could part ways with him much sooner than that. <\/p>\n
Payten had a strong start to his coaching career at the Cowboys winning 18 games in 2022 and leading the club to a home preliminary final, as they fell one game short of a first grand final since 2017. <\/p>\n
However, since then he has only taken the Cowboys to the finals once in 2024, before they were knocked out by the Sharks in the semi-finals. <\/p>\n
Payten has made the finals in just two season of his five years at the helm, while he has won 62 of his 124 games for a win percentage of 50.00. <\/p>\n
However, the biggest issue for Payten has been his inability to design a defensive system capable of keeping the Cowboys in the hunt for the finals more often. <\/p>\n
Last season the Cowboys had the second-worst defence in the NRL and conceded the second most points behind only the Titans. <\/p>\n
The club has struggled to show real grit and consistency in defence since their charge to the 2022 preliminary final and it is an area they can no longer afford to get wrong if Payten is to be the long-term coach of the club. <\/p>\n
Todd Payten is under pressure in 2026.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Last season, Payten dropped representative star Jeremiah Nanai early in the season to try and motivate his team to improve their commitment in defence. <\/p>\n
But Nanai was not alone before or since he was dropped, with their forward pack and edges struggling to keep teams out consistently. <\/p>\n
John Bateman was brought to the club to improve their commitment in defence, but he has been one of the worst defenders, as he missed the second most at the club (69) behind only halfback Dearden (70), while Nanai missed 67 as the Cowboys had three players in the top 20 for the stat. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Reed Mahoney joins the club next season to replace Reece Robson, who was one of their better defenders and set the tone defensively.<\/p>\n
Mahoney finished sixth with 81 missed tackles in 2025 and while the hooker position equates to more missed tackles, it won\u2019t help them improve that area. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys can\u2019t afford to have players missing that many tackles in a season if they are serious about playing finals, let alone competing for a title. <\/p>\n
Payten has shown he can get the team\u2019s attack clicking, but unless he can turn the club into a defensive juggernaut again, he is on borrowed time at the club. <\/p>\n
Garrick joins Roosters on 3-year deal | 00:25<\/p>\n
WHO THEY COULD TARGET<\/p>\n
The Cowboys need a strike centre, more try-scoring and a fullback that can defend and they could get all three in one if they make a big play for Selwyn Cobbo, who joins the Dolphins from the Broncos on a one-year deal in 2026. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys have poached players from the Broncos in the past, most notably Tom Dearden, who is now a representative star and their captain and they should go hard to bring the former Broncos star north to Townsville. <\/p>\n
Cobbo would give the Cowboys a potential fullback option if Drinkwater is not in their long-term plans, while he could add some much needed strike and try-scoring at centre and wing, especially as Murray Taulagi is on the outer. <\/p>\n
Another option would be to sign Gehamat Shibasaki, who could be forced out of the Broncos due to salary cap pressures. <\/p>\n
Selwyn Cobbo is the strike back the Cowboys need.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Sharks centre Jesse Ramien is another player that has been linked with the Cowboys and would be an ideal player to add some strike and defence to their edge. <\/p>\n
Dolphins\u2019 centre Jake Averillo is also on the outer at his club and could help add some versatility and strike to their outside back options. <\/p>\n
Bolstering their centres would allow Purdue to stay at five-eighth and build the club around a halves partnership of him and Dearden. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys also need a second-rower to mirror Nanai\u2019s brilliance with a workhorse mentality because Bateman at this stage of his career is not the answer. <\/p>\n
Roosters\u2019 star Siua Wong and versatile Souths counterpart Keaon Koloamatangi would fit the bill and give them the worker next to the brilliance of Nanai. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sharks lock Jesse Colquhoun would be a defensive anchor at lock, which could allow Reuben Cotter the chance to shift to an edge as the workhorse, after dominating at Origin level in that position last year. <\/p>\n
Jesse ColquhounSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Cowboys are in a period of transition after the retirement of Jordan McLean and Taumalolo closing in on the end of his career, as well as Robson moving to the Roosters. <\/p>\n
How Payten uses his salary cap to regenerate for a future built around Dearden and hopefully Purdue. <\/p>\n
But unless they fix their defence soon and push for the finals in 2026, Payten might not be around to see his vision come to fruition. <\/p>\n
COWBOYS 2026 SQUAD<\/p>\n
To 30: Braidon Burns (2026), Coen Hess (2027), Griffin Neame (2029), Harrison Edwards (2026), Helium Luki (2029), Jake Clifford (2026), James Walsh (2028), Jason Taumalolo (2027), Jaxon Purdue (2026), Jaxson Paulo (2026), Jeremiah Nanai (2027), John Bateman (2026), Kaiden Lahrs (2025), Kai O\u2019Donnell (2026), Karl Lawton (2026), Murray Taulagi (2026), Reed Mahoney (2028), Reuben Cotter (2028), Robert Derby (2028), Sam McIntyre (2026), Scott Drinkwater (2027), Thomas Mikaele (2026, CO 2027), Tom Dearden (2029), Tom Chester (2026), Viliami Vailea (2025), Zac Laybutt (2025)<\/p>\n
Development players: Ethan King (2026), Liam Sutton (2026), Mason Barber (2026), Mason Kira (2026), Matthew Watts (2026), Ronald Philitoga (2026), Xavier Kerrisk (2026), Zac Herdegen (2026)<\/p>\n
2026 gains: Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Ethan King (Roosters), James Walsh (Dolphins)<\/p>\n
2026 losses: Reece Robson (Roosters). Tom Duffy (Broncos), Jordan McLean (retired), Semi Valemei (Castleford), Jamal Shibasaki (released), Emarly Bitungane (released)<\/p>\n
“I Think Some Egos Need to be put Aside” | 01:50<\/p>\n
OFF-CONTRACT IN 2026 BY POSITION <\/p>\n
FULLBACK <\/p>\n
Tom Chester, Kade Dykes, Sione Fonua, Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako, William Kennedy, Luke Laulilii, Heath Mason, Nick Meaney, Sean Russell, Tyrell Sloan, Connor Tracey, Taine Tuaupiki<\/p>\n
WING <\/p>\n
Michael Asomua, Selwyn Cobbo, Mathew Feagai, Moala Graham-Taufa, Sione Katoa, Greg Marzhew, Marcelo Montoya, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jaxson Paulo, Richard Penisini, Phillip Sami, Sam Stonestreet, Jed Stuart, Jonathan Sua, Jake Tago, Murray Taulagi, Christian Tuipulotu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick<\/p>\n
CENTRE<\/p>\n
Jesse Arthars, Jake Averillo, Rocco Berry, Jack Bird, Braidon Burns, Wilson De Courcey, Dane Gagai, Mawene Hiroti, Delouise Hoeter, Thomas Jenkins, Brian Kelly, Nathan Lawson, Will Penisini, Jesse Ramien, Solomone Saukuru, Aaron Schoupp, Jeral Skelton, Enari Tuala, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chris Vea\u2019ila<\/p>\n
FIVE-EIGHTH<\/p>\n
Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Te Maire Martin, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Cody Walker<\/p>\n
HALFBACK <\/p>\n
Tanah Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Clifford, Tom Duffy, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zac Herdegen, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Brad Schneider, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart<\/p>\n
PROP<\/p>\n
Tom Ale, Jake Clydsdale, Harrison Edwards, Sione Fainu, Emre Guler, Payne Haas, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Henry, Jack Hetherington, Samuel Hughes, Jaiyden Hunt, Jaimin Jolliffe, Tui Kamikamica, Sean Keppie, Kaiden Lahrs, Simione Laiafi, Blake Lawrie, Matthew Lodge, Ata Mariota, Sam McIntyre, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Toby Rudolf, Lindsay Smith, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Xavier Va\u2019a<\/p>\n
HOOKER<\/p>\n
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Zach Dockar-Clay, Tristan Hope, Jamie Humphreys, Freddy Lussick, Cameron McInnes, Zaidas Muagututia, Cory Paix, Jake Turpin, Sam Verrills, Billy Walters, Patrick Young<\/p>\n
SECOND ROW <\/p>\n
John Bateman, Shawn Blore, Billy Burns, Thomas Cant, Kurt Capewell, Angus Crichton, Tyson Frizell, Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer, Jack Gosiewski, Charlie Guymer, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Brodie Jones, Oryn Keeley, Mason Kira, Keaon Koloamatangi, Karl Lawton, Luciano Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, Zyon Maiu\u2019u, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Max McCarthy, Marata Niukore, Kai O\u2019Donnell, Joe Roddy, Scott Sorensen, Tony Sukkar, Siosifa Talakai, Kelma Tuilagi, Siua Wong<\/p>\n
LOCK <\/p>\n
Nathan Brown, Josh Curran, Jesse Colquhoun, Matthew Eisenhuth, Kalani Going, Lipoi Hopoi, Blake Hosking, Kit Laulilii, Liam Le Blanc, Kurt Mann, Hohepa Puru, Hame Sele, Morgan Smithies, Ray Stone, Jack Todd, Jake Trbojevic, Dylan Walker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Cowboys need to settle on a halves pairing and find a way to fix their glaring 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