Squad Breakdown: Cowboys SC roster analysis

North Queensland will be out to end a slide in recent years as they look to break a growing finals drought.



It’s a side that boasts plenty of attacking strike-weapons, while attention will undoubtedly be firmly focused on million-dollar-man Jason Taumalolo after a much scrutinised 2021 campaign.



Their relatively new-look starting side is home to several promising rookies with big SuperCoach futures ahead of them, but can they hit their straps in 2022?



Working in their favour is an exceptionally friendly run of fixtures to begin the year, with games against the Bulldogs (H), Raiders (H), Broncos (A), Roosters (H) and Warriors (A).



With our predicted teams, for SuperCoach purposes we’ve included any players returning from injury/suspension in the first three rounds in the starting line-up.



This combines both the likely starting teams and best 17s, as initial price changes occur after Round 3.



Let’s take a look at the Cowboys’ SuperCoach prospects to begin the new season.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PREDICTED TEAM</h2>



1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Jeremiah Nanai 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jason Taumalolo



Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Reuben Cotter 16. Ben Condon 17. Tom Gilbert



Injuries/suspensions:&nbsp;N/A



Analysis:&nbsp;Tom Dearden appears to have edged Scott Drinkwater in the race to partner halfback Chad Townsend.



Val Holmes will play left centre this season, at least early on, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to play fullback.



The edge back-row spot is up for grabs, I’m liking promising rookies Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai to get the gig.



They may opt to start Taumalolo at prop, with Reuben Cotter at lock and Coen Hess off the bench.



Squad depth may pose a few issues here when injuries strike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GUNS</h2>



It’s a little grim to say, but the Cowboys don’t have any SuperCoach guns heading into Round one.



From a price-point perspective, Val Holmes is up there as the only player above $490k, but more on him below.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MID-RANGERS</h2>



Jason Taumalolo // $485,700 // 2RF // 2021 Ave: 55.4



JT, a mid-ranger? Dead set&#8230;



Taumalolo was one of my first picked this season, that was up until he failed to play any trials due to hamstring issues.



While that’s a concern, reports are that he’s been put in cotton wool and is good to go. I can’t see the Cowboys pushing him this early in the season if not ready to rock at full fitness (or near enough).



There’s so many factors that make me want him.



Firstly, he’s spent the off-season in the headlines, with many questioning his current elite status in the game after a disappointing period.



I think he’ll come out with a point to prove and remind us why he was the best forward, if not player, in the game just a few seasons back.



He’s only 28-years-old! That’s when most players hit their peak.



Further, there’s some expectation he’ll play prop (effectively same as lock in actual footy context), meaning he may become a dual 2RF-FRF option.



If he was at FRF from Round 1 I feel like people would jump on in masses.



There’s no other FRF option with his ceiling.



He’s priced on a mediocre 55.4 average from a season he played largely injured.



At absolute worst case (injury aside), I can’t see how he doesn’t at least hold value and average mid 50s.



For anyone with short memories, he averaged from 70-78 SC points in the three seasons prior to last.



Sign me up…



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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow // $418,800 // FLB-CTW // 2021 Ave: 47.8



I’m not overly keen on The Hammer, but there’s serious upside in the kid with the fulltime move to fullback.



He played three games at fullback to end last season, averaging 67 points, with fairly tough clashes against the Roosters, Eels and Dragons.



He based 29 points per game in that time which is very solid.



He then faced Manly in the final round where he was on 40 after 9 minutes before sustaining an injury.



That’s pretty good reading considering he’s priced on a 48 point average.



My concern however is the team around him, I’m not convinced in the Cowboys this season, therefore I’m not sure he’ll get enough attacking opportunities.



Particularly if they’re on the receiving end of some blow out score lines where he may be extremely limited.



I’ll watch early, and I’m more intent on seeing the Cowboys flourish rather than The Hammer himself, as they should go hand in hand.



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Reuben Cotter // $381,400 // HOK-2RF // 2021 Ave: 48.3



Cotter is simply a team list Tuesday watch for me.



I like the potential, but he needs to be named to start at lock, which is possible.



Further, the bench make-up at the Cowboys needs to fit around him.



Ideally Jake Granville wouldn’t be named, allowing him to jag some time at hooker, and potentially a utility back on the bench, along with an edge player.



If the right team is named, I’ll consider him in my team.



He averaged 48 points in 45 minutes last season at 1.07 points per minute.



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The year prior, he averaged 40 points in 50 minutes at 0.88 points per minute.



He only managed 16 games across that period.



Due to six games last season he starts under-priced, but it’s not as if he played 30 minutes per game in recent years.



We’d want him playing 60 odd minutes for approximately a 55 point average to warrant consideration, and I’m just not sure we’ll have that assurance prior to Round 1.



He did average 48 in base last year which is outstanding.



On my watch list, but it’ll take some convincing.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BARGAIN BUYS</h2>



Jeremiah Nanai // $343,700 // 2RF and Heilum Luki // $351,500 // 2RF



They&#8217;re not quite genuine cheapies/bargains, but the mid-range section was getting overcrowded.



I’m tempted by the promising young back-rowers provided they get starting edge back-row roles.



They’re awkwardly priced, so again ideally I think we need an assurance of 65-80 minutes to warrant buying for Round 1.



Nanai in particular is a bit of a beast, as evidenced by a try and a couple of try-assists in just four games last season.



With these attacking stats you could argue his scoring was inflated, but to me it just excites me that he has a decent ceiling!



The fact he hasn’t featured during the pre-season is concerning.



In 11 games last year, Luki averaged 40 points in 38 minutes which is encouraging.



I’ll likely wait to see the minutes in the opening rounds, then jump on if they get the time prior to Round 3 price changes.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AVOIDS</h2>



Valentine Holmes // $559,800 // FLB-CTW // 2021 Ave: 63.9



A pretty straight forward one here.



Val excelled last year at fullback, but in an unconvincing Cowboys line-up, playing centre, it’s hard to see him bettering his average.



In two games at centre to end last season he had scores of 41 and 34, with a base of just 23 and 19.



He’s still goal-kicking which is crucial, and I wouldn’t rule him out at some stage during the year, but plenty has to play out for me to genuinely consider.

Squad Breakdown: Cowboys SC roster analysis

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