Young Cowboys earn their spurs

THE youngest North Queensland Cowboys welcomed their returning veterans back to training on Wednesday having endured their first bootcamp as professional footballers without them.

Tom Chester and Jordan Lipp were rookie members of North Queensland’s squad for last season’s brutal army camp but were promoted to veteran status for their second experience, as a cast of first-timers were thrust into the firing line of physical and mental hurdles across the region.

Off-contract centre Jordan Lipp said although there were some similarities to 2021’s camp, 2022’s edition had taught valuable lessons.

“It’s good for the younger boys to go outside their comfort zone and do some things they’re not used to,” Lipp said.

“I felt pretty good. I did one last year so I was a little bit aware of what’s coming next … It was a little bit different this year with the older boys not coming back (until Wednesday) so it’s been just a younger squad.

“I think it’s been good for us – we can learn and then put it into practice, whereas when there’s a squad of 40 you don’t really get as many reps in.”

The horror stories from camp lived up to the club’s reputation for whipping players into shape.

The Cowboys believe this training is the key to instilling the same work ethic and toughness into the club’s next generation, having led the first-teamers within a game of the grand final two months ago.

Chester, who completed a come-from-the-clouds debut from junior development player to debutant in 2022, said a surprise 3am wake-up call to journey to Magnetic Island was his toughest moment.

“I did the camp in Tully last year but they were a little bit different. I believe the one this year was physically tougher,” Chester said.