Ruthless Cowboys forced to wield axe

THE Cowboys have begun their roster clean-out as they chase a return to the NRL finals after the club officially confirmed the list of departing players.

The club announced yesterday that Jordan Kahu, Enari Tuala, Javid Bowen, Gideon Gela-mosby, Kurt Baptiste, and Carlin Anderson will not be offered new contracts.

It comes after retiring legend Matt Scott and stalwart prop Scott Bolton already confirmed their departures from the Cowboys.

Kahu joined the Cowboys from the Broncos as a fullback replacement following Ben Barba’s pre-season departure, going on to play three positions in the backline across his 19 games.

It is understood the Cowboys offered Kahu a chance to stay in Townsville, but the 28year-old declined the opportunity with speculation that he is set for a code switch to rugby union.

Outside back Tuala was part of Kirwan High’s golden generation as they claimed the 2015 national schoolboys title before going on to make his NRL debut with the Cowboys as an 18-year-old in 2017.

The Cairns product has played 18 games for the Cowboys, including seven this season, but he struggled to cement a place in first grade as he spent most of his time with feeder club the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup.

Bowen has been in the Cowboys’ system since 2012 as an under-20s player before making a blistering start to his NRL career in 2016 with four tries from his first five games.

The nephew of club legend Matt, Bowen has been in and out of the first-grade squad over the past four seasons, playing 36 games for the Cowboys including just seven games this season.

Gela-mosby’s pace made him one of the most exciting talents for the Cowboys and he played 11 NRL games after making his debut in 2017.