Cotter, Dearden to lead side
Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend have been replaced as Cowboys co-captains as coach Todd Payten begins to usher in a new generation of leaders in North Queensland.
The Cowboys’ 2022 and 2023 leaders will make way for a Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden leadership axis in 2024.
Taumalolo is one of North Queensland’s greatest forward heroes and a key figure in the club’s breakthrough 2015 premiership victory.
But age is catching up with the Cowboys colossus, with steady reductions in playing time since his prime as the finest middle forward in rugby league.
“This decision was not made lightly and is certainly no reflection on Jason and Chad’s leadership,” Payten said.
“This was a long-term decision for our club.
“We have a number of senior players entering the back-ends of their careers, which is why we have made the decision to make a change now to help our new captains develop while still having experienced shoulders to lean on for advice in the playing group.
“Jason and Chad’s roles will not change within our club.”
Dearden recently signed a five-year contract extension that saw him overtake Taumalolo as the longest tenured Cowboy on North Queensland’s roster.
Cotter signed an extension through the 2025 season after the 2021 season.
The pair will become two of the youngest full-time captains in North Queensland history when they lead the Cowboys out against the Dolphins on March 10.
Dearden, at 22 years and 362 days, will become the youngest Cowboys captain since Johnathan Thurston took the reins of the club in round 1 of the 2007 season.
Thurston was 50 days younger than Dearden, at 22 years and 312 days.
Cotter, at 25 years and 73 days on round 1, will be the fourth-youngest Cowboys skipper behind Thurston, Dearden and 2001 captain Paul Bowman (25 years, 24 days).
“We believe Reuben and Tom will complement each other as leaders,” Payten added.
“They represent everything we stand for and who we are as a club.
“Reuben and everything we do.”
Cotter described taking on the captaincy as a “massive privilege”.
“I have supported this club my entire life and to be able to captain the Cowboys is an honour I will never take for granted,” he said.
“I want this team to be viewed as winners, but just as importantly I want our members and fans to see us as hardworking and resilient.”
Dearden said he was pleased to be able to draw on the experience of three former captains in the Cowboys squad.
“When you look back at the history of the players who have captained this club, it includes some of the best to ever wear a Cowboys jersey and to be able to follow in their footsteps is very special,” Dearden said.
Tom lead