North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten is set to unleash his star players for the team's second and final pre-season trial against the Penrith Panthers at BB Print Stadium in Mackay. The match will take place on Friday at 7 pm (AEST).
The Cowboys' lineup includes several key players who were rested for the opening trial against the Bulldogs, such as Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Coen Hess, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Sam McIntyre, Reuben Cotter, Soni Luke, Matt Lodge, and John Bateman. Among these, Mahoney will make his debut in Cowboys colours, starting at hooker, with fellow new recruit Soni Luke on the interchange.
The team's starting lineup for the Panthers game is as follows:
- Scott Drinkwater
- Braidon Burns
- Jaxon Purdue
- Zac Laybutt
- Murray Taulagi
- Jake Clifford
- Tom Dearden (c)
- Coen Hess
- Reed Mahoney
- Jason Taumalolo
- Heilum Luki
- Sam McIntyre
- Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange:
14. Soni Luke
15. Tom Mikaele
16. Matt Lodge
17. John Bateman
18. Liam Sutton
19. Mason Barber
20. Kai O'Donnell
21. Harrison Edwards
22. Jaxson Paulo
23. Robert Derby
24. Ethan King
The North Queensland Cowboys pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledge the stories, traditions, and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands they meet, gather, and play on. This gesture is a testament to their commitment to honoring the past, present, and future of these communities.
