{"id":386915,"date":"2026-01-02T13:28:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/386915\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T13:28:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:28:25","slug":"cowboys-2026-nrl-squad-analysis-middle-forwards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/386915\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys 2026 NRL squad analysis – middle forwards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cowboys.com.au are providing an in-depth positional analysis of the 2026 North Queensland Toyota Cowboys squad. We continue the series today with the middle forwards, headlined by Reuben Cotter<\/a> and Jason Taumalolo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The players are ranked by their NRL experience with their career numbers of games in brackets next to their name.<\/p>\n

>>> Part 1: Fullback<\/a>
>>> Part 2: Outside backs<\/a>
>>> Part 3: Halves<\/a>
>>> Part 4: Hooker<\/a><\/p>\n

Jason Taumalolo<\/a> (285)<\/p>\n

The 32-year-old needs just 11 appearances in 2026 to break Johnathan Thurston\u2019s all-time appearance record for the Cowboys and 15 in total to become the first player to appear in 300 games for the club. Taumalolo<\/a> returned after a long injury lay-off to finish the season strongly in 2025.<\/p>\n


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Coen Hess<\/a> (186)<\/p>\n

After missing the entire 2024 season, Hess returned emphatically last season. The 29-year-old finished second in Paul Bowman Medal voting, just four points behind eventual winner Tom Dearden<\/a>. Whether starting or on the bench, Hess<\/a> is locked into a key role as part of the Cowboys\u2019 middle-forward rotation in 2026.<\/p>\n


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Matt Lodge<\/a> (133)<\/p>\n

A late pre-season recruit, Lodge adds significant depth and experience to the Cowboys pack following the loss of Griffin Neame<\/a> and Jeremiah Nanai<\/a> to start the season. The 30-year-old played 12 games for Manly in 2025, starting on 10 occasions.<\/p>\n


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Reuben Cotter<\/a> (100)<\/p>\n

Cotter is entrenched as one of the standout locks in the NRL as a Queensland and Kangaroos incumbent. The Sarina Crocodiles junior enters his third season as Cowboys co-captain in 2026 and is a lock to wear the No.13 in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n


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Griffin Neame<\/a> (89)<\/p>\n

Neame had nailed down a start front-row spot in 2025, regularly playing huge minutes, before having his season ended early by a shoulder injury in Round 22. A setback in his recovery will see Neame miss the early rounds of 2026, but he will push for a starting spot once cleared to play.<\/p>\n


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Tom Mikaele<\/a> (89)<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old enters 2026 on the back of playing some of his best football in the NRL in the closing rounds of last season. Mikaele shapes as a key member of the Cowboys\u2019 middle-forward rotation, especially in the early rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n


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Sam McIntyre<\/a> (81)<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old has solidified himself as an NRL regular in North Queensland after arriving at the club in mid-2023. McIntyre appeared in 16 games before having his season cut short by a calf injury.<\/p>\n


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Harrison Edwards<\/a> (53)<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old\u2019s versatility has been an enormous asset for the Cowboys since arriving mid-season in 2024. Edwards appeared in 21 games for North Queensland last season, spending time at prop, lock and hooker.<\/p>\n


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Kaiden Lahrs<\/a> (7)<\/p>\n

Still just 19, Lahrs is entering his third season as part of the Cowboys\u2019 NRL squad. Plagued by shoulder injuries to start his senior career, Lahrs earned an NRL debut in 2025. He will be a contender for a bench spot to start 2026.<\/p>\n


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Mason Kira<\/a> (0)<\/p>\n

The Kiwi born forward enters the Cowboys\u2019 Top 30 in 2026 after establishing himself as a Queensland Cup regular for the Mackay Cutters last season. A former Queensland under 19s star, Kira also has the ability to play second row.<\/p>\n


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Matt Watts<\/a> (0)<\/p>\n

A schoolboy teammate of Jaxon Purdue<\/a> and Xavier Kerrisk<\/a> in Mackay, Watts has been elevated to the NRL squad in 2026. The hulking prop nailed down a regular Queensland Cup slot for the Mackay Cutters in 2025 and may push for an NRL debut over the Origin period.<\/p>\n


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