JAKE’S PAYNE KILLER

THE current Cowboys team is playing the best footy in the club’s history, including the 2005 grand final side, Cowboys great Aaron Payne says.

Payne said a big reason behind the 2015 team’s exceptional form was the performance of rising hooker Jake Granville who has finally filled the hole Payne left when he retired in 2012.

Payne played in great Cowboys teams in an 11- season career but said it is only this year that North Queensland have found the ability to win away regularly which will make them a formidable team in the finals.

This season the Cowboys have a better away record than they do at home.

They have lost one of nine away games and have beaten South Sydney and St George Illawarra on the road.

In 2005, the year they lost to Wests Tigers 30- 16 in the grand final, the Cowboys lost nine away games including the premiership decider at ANZ Stadium.

The Cowboys should also set a new record for wins in a season this year.

The record stands at 15, set in 2007 and 2012, but the Cowboys have already won 14 with six regular season games remaining.

Their away record is crucial because the decider will of course be played in Sydney.

“I think they are going better now than what they ever have before and the main reason is they are winning away from home and that’s what you need to win a grand final,” Payne said. “They are playing confident and that is very important. The two keys in rugby league are confidence and momentum.

“They are doing very well but there’s a

lot to go yet.

Payne, at the club as an elite pathways coach, praised Granville. The Cowboys were caught short when Payne retired and James Segeyaro left for Penrith.

Granville has scored seven tries and broken 29 tackles this season while averaging 70m per game scooting from dummy- half.

The Wynnum Manly star has proven he should have been a starting hooker years ago.

Payne said Granville’s best asset was creating time and space for Johnathan Thurston.

Granville, a carpenter and golfing tragic from central Queensland, dismissed talk of being a star. “Mate I just am enjoying playing alongside these bunch of blokes,” he said.

“I don’t read much or listen to much that’s out there.”