North Queensland five-eighth Tom Dearden is enjoying his new role as co-captain, and former Cowboys star Brent Tate says the responsibility will continue to bring out the best in him.
Dearden, 23, and 25-year-old lock Reuben Cotter were given the honour of leading the side this year and so far it has worked a treat, with the club winning their opening two matches.
The Cowboys take on St George Illawarra at Kogarah on Saturday aiming to make it three on the trot, a start they have not had since 2007 when they won their opening four matches.
Dearden and Cotter were superb in the 21-20 win over Newcastle, leading with panache after the Cowboys fell behind 12-0.
"Tom and Reuben are natural-born leaders with the way they go about their business," 2006 premiership winner Tate told AAP.
"A big part of leadership is living and breathing standards every day, and that is stuff that they do and (it) comes easy to them They have that discipline.
"Throw in a bit more responsibility and those guys are starting to thrive on it."
Dearden was one of his side's best in the 43-18 round-one win over the Dolphins and has seamlessly embraced the extra responsibility.
"I've really enjoyed it," he said.
"I don't think too much really changes with my role on the field. It has been good to work with the boys.
"I suppose you do feel a bit more pressure to step up when the team is not playing too well, but I thought a number of players did that on the weekend."
The Cowboys have made it clear that relieving last year's skippers Chad Townsend and Jason Taumalolo of the captaincy in the off-season was not because of dissatisfaction with the veteran pair's leadership, but more about generational change and taking a long-term view.
"It is not a knock on the other guys at all. It is all about the club 'future-proofing' itself," Tate said.
Townsend and Taumalolo have not kicked stones. Both have played key roles in the opening rounds, with halfback Townsend landing the match-winning field goal against the Knights in extra time last week.
Prop Taumalolo was integral in the win over the Dolphins, where his powerhouse start put the Cowboys on top.
