North Queensland co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter are “dialled in” for the NRL finals series, and coach Todd Payten wouldn’t have it any other way.
Payten made an inspired choice when he elevated Dearden and Cotter to lead the side after veterans Chad Townsend and Jason Taumalolo had previously shared the role.
It was with an eye to the future, but to the present as well, with both ready for the extra responsibility and both proven performers in the State of Origin arena for Queensland.
They also complement each other and will be pivotal to success in the home elimination final against Newcastle on Saturday night.
The look in Cotter’s eyes as he ran on to the field for last week’s 44-6 win over Canterbury has drawn plenty of comment. It was the steely death stare into the distance of a man who refused to lose. The mullet-wearing lock looked the true warrior he is and then played like it, going red in the face early in the match with pure exertion that he maintained throughout.
Dearden is the crafty, guileful playmaker at No.6, but also plays tough and takes the line on with vim. He competes on every play and sets the benchmark for effort and excellence that Payten has instilled into his team.
The coach said both captains had narrowed their focus ahead of the Knights.
"A couple of coaches have mentioned to me this week in casual conversations that both captains are dialled in," Payten said.
"There is certainly a look in their eyes and fire in the belly. This is their first campaign as captains and they want to do themselves, the community and the town justice.
"I would say that they have taken responsibility on wholeheartedly. There was a little trepidation initially and I would say that added pressure has put a bit more responsibility on them to perform every week.
"They have both done that and are both more comfortable as each week goes by about asserting themselves in meetings, on the training pitch and out on the field."
The Cowboys are far from perfect, but they have found another gear late in the season, with second-rower Heilum Luki in career-best form and half Jake Clifford slotting in seamlessly since being given his chance in round 24 .
Payten made a big call to drop 2016 premiership winner Townsend late in the season, but the coach boasts a valuable quality of not being scared of the big decision.
Clifford has a booming boot and will be vital in keeping Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga in check.
"(Ponga) is in some really good form and breaks tackles. It is not just the kick, it is the chase and what we do after that," Payten said.
"The last month we've had Jake in the team and he's got a good right-foot kick and he goes down that right-hand corridor. We've got 'Drinky' (Scott Drinkwater), who has been stepping up to break the rhythm up with his left (foot).
"We need to negate Kalyn's impact on the game."
Payten said earlier he had lost sleep over the call to bring in Clifford, but the coach was asked if he nods off a lot quicker now the decision has paid off.
"You would think so but no. I don't have a problem going to sleep. It is staying asleep. I wake up and stare up at the ceiling," he said with a grin.
