Two years ago, North Queensland were somewhat of a rabble and were in the infancy of a coaching turnover, having parted ways with Paul Green after a lengthy and successful tenure.
Fast-forward to 2023 and the Cowboys are now one of the premiership favourites, turning around a slow start to find themselves back in the finals hunt and playing some incredible football.
After a 66-18 drubbing at the hands of the Tigers back in Round 12, the side have now won four games on the trot, including a massive scoreline turnaround in their 74-0 win over the black and gold in Round 18.
Speaking on the latest edition of The Sporting News/YKTR Ebbs and Flows podcast, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater said having the side back to full-strength has been a massive boost heading into the business-end of their campaign.
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“It’s good that we are getting our players back now – we had a lot of injuries and suspensions at the start of the year and it definitely hurt us," he said.
"Our depth is pretty good, but it definitely hurt us and we were chewing pretty deep to find some players at times.
"That continuity wasn’t there, but last weekend's game was the first time everyone that played in the prelim [last year] got to play together again.
"We’re playing well at the moment, we’ve had some good wins and we need to keep the ball rolling."
Todd Payten's Cowboys rebuild comes to fruition
Taking over the top job after an impressive stint as Warriors interim coach, Todd Payten has turned the Cowboys back into a premiership force and instilled the defensive mindset required to compete for premierships.
The rebuild did take some time - Payten's first year saw the club finish in 13th spot and his no-nonsense approach seemingly rubbed some players the wrong way, including Jason Taumalolo.
Drinkwater claimed the issues between the club's coach and captain weren't as big as many indicated, and believes the personality of Payten is perfect for the current squad.
“It was a bit blown out of proportion what happened through the media, because we weren’t winning," he said.
"They weren’t off each other, Jase is our captain and he is our coach… Toddy even said he probably went about it the wrong way. Jase is used to running for 300 metres, plays big minutes and Toddy came in and changed it a bit.
"Toddy as a coach keeps you on your toes… as a head coach, you can’t get as close to the boys as an assistant coach. You don’t know whether you’ve played really well or bad, he doesn’t give you a difference in his demeanour.
"He gets close, but doesn’t let you get too close and comfortable with him… he’s been great in the effort areas."
NSW hooker Reece Robson believes the change over the past two years under Payten's coaching have allowed the group to take a different outlook on their on-field performances.
"It’s really been going upwards for the club and Toddy is driving that too… he’s been a real advocate on the effort areas of the game and really explaining to us things that we didn’t celebrate enough of before," Robson said.
"It’s all well and good to go and score 74 points, but what they’re happier with is no tries. It’s easy for a coach to say that, I understand, but it’s been since the start that they’ve been driving that.
"As players, we’re not patting old mate on the back that scores three tries or runs for 300 metres – it’s the guy that’s turning up to save a try in the corner that probably shouldn’t be in that position.
"That’s been a big turnaround from our coaching staff and it starts from Toddy at the top, really driving and celebrating those things that probably aren’t getting celebrated on Channel Nine or social media.
"We all notice it on the field and that’s what we started celebrating back in 2021 and it took a little bit to get that started and it definitely came to fruition last year.
"Off the back of celebrating those little things, it was driving boys to work harder at those areas and not so much the fancy plays."
Dean Young is the next great NRL coach
Payten's impact in Townsville has been clear as day, taking out Dally M Coach of the Year honours in 2022 and fronting the rebuild of the 2015 NRL premiers.
But in the background for the past two years has been Dean Young, who recently missed out on the vacant St George Illawarra job but has been rumoured to be eyeing off a return to his former club.
Drinkwater revealed the intensity and attitude that Young brings to the Cowboys will hold him in good stead as he continues his coaching career.
“I really enjoy Dean Young – I thought he might have got the Dragons job and in the near future, it won’t be long before he’s a head coach," he said.
"He’s got a great work ethic, he’s in there Monday to Friday in tracksuits and flogging himself at the gym, going in the sauna… he enjoys himself Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then comes in, weighs himself and does it all again.
"I guess when a coach is asking you to do something hard, it’s easy to say it – but when you see them doing something hard as well, you have more respect and you’re willing to do it more.
"Youngy is very smart, he’s got a great knowledge about the game whether its attack or defence, you can go to him and talk to him about those things."
Ebbs and Flows releases each Sunday night via Sporting News Australia and YKTR's YouTube Channels.
