That\u2019s how Payten described the 82-12 loss to the Roosters <\/a>at home last Friday night.<\/p>\n He revealed this week that he didn\u2019t allow the players to go straight home after the match and hide, but asked them to face their fans.<\/p>\n \u201cI asked our players and staff to turn up to the leagues club after the match. It was a late game but it is important that we front up together. We did that, we addressed it and now we move forward,\u201d Payten said.<\/p>\n Fast forward seven days and Payten entered a post-game press conference with a smile on his face after a 30-8 win over the Titans on the Gold Coast<\/a>.<\/p>\n Payten reflected on the preparation leading up to Thursday night\u2019s game and praised his players for making it a productive week at training.<\/p>\n \u201cLast week was difficult, the first 12, 15 hours after the game were really tough,\u201d Payten said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we had to get past it and we did that. The boys were sprightly on Monday and went after their work and it was probably one of the easiest weeks to be fair. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was less detailed around what we\u2019re doing from the coaching aspect, and it was more just around our attitude and effort.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a group here that get past things pretty quickly. I think the modern player does as a general rule.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018JUST A TIP FOR YOU, BROTHER\u2019: War of words as star ripped for \u2018nonsense\u2019 claim<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018FINGERS POINTED\u2019: Tigers turmoil to \u2018linger\u2019 as damning new detail revealed<\/a><\/p>\n Taumalolo breaks his tryless drought! | 00:26<\/p>\n The Cowboys were never really threatened by the Titans, putting on five tries, including two in the opening 12 minutes to set up a handy lead.<\/p>\n Payten said once they got it to 18-4, the game was over.<\/p>\n He then looked forward to the final four rounds for his side, which feature a bye and games against the Eels, Tigers and Raiders \u2013 all of whom are below them on the ladder.<\/p>\n After coming through arguably the worst game in the club\u2019s history and bouncing back with a win, all of a sudden Payten was talking up his team\u2019s finals hopes.<\/p>\n If either Souths or the Bulldogs lose this weekend the Cowboys will be back in the top eight and their destiny will be in their own hands again.<\/p>\n “We’re out of sorts at the moment” | 04:46<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n DOUEIHI LANDING SPOTS: Big Madge hint… and rival to land bitter Benji blow<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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