BY CURTIS WOODWARD

North Queensland Cowboys
Coach: Paul Green
Pre-season: Auckland Nines February 4th and 5th, v Roosters February 11th, v Wests Tigers February 17th

 
What they’ll get right: There is too much class in this team not to make the playoffs. They’ll still be a real force at home and will look like premiership contenders at points throughout the year.

What they’ll get wrong: Who isn’t worried about their front row rotation and how thin they look? James Tamou’s exit to Penrith means even more work for Matt Scott and their forward depth will be stretched to breaking point at representative time.

It’s a big year for: With Tamou gone and Scott’s workload doubled, Jason Taumalolo needs to somehow find another Dally M season. It will be almost impossible for Taumalolo to emulate what he did last year.

Your 2017 North Queensland Toyota Cowboys! Can't wait to see you at the footy! #ridemcowboys pic.twitter.com/j6D7kRu496

— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) January 21, 2017

 
Most improved: Ethan Lowe

MVP: Johnathan Thurston

Most consistent: Matt Scott

Northern pre-season – sweat, rain, repeat pic.twitter.com/tfwB0NAhwz

— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) January 12, 2017

Prediction – 8th
I just can’t see them missing the finals – not yet, anyway.

 
Possible team:
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Kyle Feldt
3 Justin O’Neill
4 Kane Linnett
5 Antonio Winterstein
6 Michael Morgan
7 Johnathan Thurston
8 Coen Hess
9 Jake Granville
10 Matt Scott
11 Gavin Cooper
12 Ethan Lowe
13 Jason Taumalolo

14 Kalyn Ponga
15 John Asiata
16 Scott Bolton
17 Patrick Kaufusi

@woodward_curtis