FOX LEAGUE KAYO for an impact Holmes shows he’s on the ball

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Marsters roomed with Gilbert when he first moved to Townsville – and was “over the moon” about the young gun’s selection.

He said that based on the monumental efforts he had put in throughout the pre-season, a debut was a just reward. “It was good living with him – he is on to it and everything he does is professional,” Marsters said.

“It is good to see someone his age taking the game serious and really working hard to get to where you want to get.

“He is pretty big – I think the way he is and the character he is ... he is a bit of a serious guy.

“He has been good so far, he has trained really hard and all the work he has put in I am sure he field.”

Tom will become Cowboy number 287 when he comes off the bench tonight against the Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Kick-off will be at 7.35pm. will show it on the

HE did not expect the ball playing ability of Valentine Holmes to be his greatest asset, but those signs have shown Cowboys coach Paul Green the fullback still has plenty of improvement in him.

It is a scary proposition, given the former Cronulla Shark was known for his running game before returning home to Townsville.

But the custodian now leads the NRL in try and line break assists this season, and if he gets to full flight tonight his old club will have plenty of headaches to nurse at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“So far I think the ball playing ability has been the best part of what he’s been doing for us,” Green said.

“It’s something he hadn’t really been known for … he was probably known better as a runner.

“I knew he could ball play, but he’s been doing a really good job in that area.

“The fact he’s leading in try assists that was something I thought might have taken a bit longer to come into his game. But he’s good and he’s feeling comfortable at the back there and making some really good decisions.”

North Queensland will be without the services of Jason Taumalolo due to a knee injury.

It will be a noticeable hole in the side, given the former Dally M Medal winner leads the competition in running metres and post contact metres. Attempting to replace him would be an impossible task, but Green said that was not their focus.

“You don’t (replace his presence) is the simplest answer, but you don’t have to either,” he said.

“Everyone else just has to contribute a little bit more. We’ll play a bit of a different game, not too different, but his knee is coming along really well – we don’t expect him to be out too long.”

Getting to inform Tom Gilbert he would be making his NRL debut was an exciting moment for Green “one of the good parts of the job”.

Despite only being 19, Green said the young forward’s professionalism and application had always been noticeable and that attitude was part of the culture the club wanted to sustain.