Cowboy’s weapon Jason Taumalolo was fired after the club’s 2023 season collapse
North Queensland has fired $10 million man Jason Taumalolo following the club’s disappointing 2023 season.
The Cowboys have fired Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as captains.
The club confirmed the announcement on Sunday with a video declaring that Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden will captain the team in 2024.
Taumalolo and Townsend led the club to the semi-finals in 2022, finishing in fourth place, but the club was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season, missing the finals.
Taumalolo and Townsend were both criticised during form slumps, with some suggesting the club should consider selling the Kiwi wrecking ball.
Taumalolo, 31, notably signed a $10 million, 10-year contract with the club, which runs until the end of the 2027 season.
However, the Cowboys have a plethora of promising young forwards rising, and the current event with the captaincy will only add fuel to the fire over his uncertain future with the club.
“This decision was not made lightly and is certainly no reflection on Jason and Chad’s leadership,” Todd Payten, the team’s coach, said.
“This was a long-term choice for our team. We have a number of veteran players who are nearing the conclusion of their careers, so we decided to make a change now to enable our new captains develop while still having experienced shoulders to draw on for advice in the playing group.”
Dearden’s rise comes after he recently signed a long-term contract deal with the club until the end of the 2029 season.
Prior to signing with the Cowboys, he emerged as one of the most sought-after playmakers on the market for the 2025 season.
“We believe Reuben and Tom will complement each other as leaders,” Payten was quoted as saying.
“They embody everything we stand for and who we are as a club. They’re local kids who are unwaveringly committed to this club and their teammates, but they’ve also had significant personal problems that they’ve overcome to become representative players.
“Reuben and Tom oversee everything we do, whether it’s on the field, in the film room, or preparing for games. They are excellent role models for the rest of our playing group.”
